General Tumor Resection Synoptic Report — CAP elements with AJCC 9th Edition (auto stage)

General AJCC 9 TNM guidance (tumor resection setting):

Note: The exact pT definitions are site-specific; below are general principles applicable across many solid tumors: - pT is based on size and/or depth of invasion into adjacent tissues and organs. For many sites, small, organ-confined tumors are lower pT (T1/T2), while invasion into adjacent structures, serosa, or through anatomic boundaries increases T category. 
- For soft tissue/visceral organs, record maximal dimension and whether tumor is confined to organ, invades local structures, or crosses fascial/serosal planes. 
- For tumors with organ-specific venous or neural invasion, document presence — this may alter T or overall staging per site-specific AJCC rules. 

Always consult the AJCC site-specific pT definitions for precise assignment (e.g., lung, colon, head & neck, gynecologic).

General AJCC 9 pN guidance: 
- pN0: No regional lymph node metastasis. 
- pN1 / pN2 / pN3: Defined by number, size, and location of regional nodal metastases; definitions vary by primary site (e.g., N1 single node vs N2 multiple regional nodes). 
- Document number of nodes examined, number positive, largest nodal deposit, extranodal extension, and nodal stations. 

For exact pN assignment, use site-specific AJCC rules (regional vs non-regional nodal designations differ by primary tumor site).

General AJCC 9 pM guidance: 
- pM0: No pathologic evidence of distant metastasis. 
- pM1: Distant metastasis present (biopsy-proven when possible). 
    Subclassification (M1a/b/c) depends on site (e.g., non-regional nodal, lung, bone, visceral). 
- Any pM1 = Stage IV by anatomic grouping. Document site(s), number of metastatic lesions, size, and method of confirmation (biopsy, surgical specimen, imaging).