October 18, 2023

A tumour deposit is a group of cancer cells that have spread from the primary tumour (the location where the tumour started) to another tissue or organ in the body. A tumour deposit can be found close to the primary tumour or in other organs and body sites far from the original tumour. When a deposit is found far from the primary tumour, it is called a metastasis.

Where are tumour deposits normally found?

Tumour deposits are commonly found in lymph nodes, lungs, bones, and the liver. They can also be found in the same organ as the primary tumour, in which case, the deposit is distinct and clearly separated from the primary tumour.

Why are tumour deposits important?

Tumour deposits are important because your pathologist will use this information to determine the pathologic cancer stage (pTNM). Specifically, tumour deposits found in lymph nodes close to the primary tumour are often used to determine the pathologic nodal stage (pN). Tumour deposits found in lymph nodes further from the original tumour, or in another organ (lung, liver, or bone), are used to determine the pathologic metastatic stage (pM) of cancer.

About this article

Doctors wrote this article to help you read and understand your pathology report. Contact us if you have questions about this article or your pathology report.

Other helpful resources

Atlas of Pathology