Should lymph nodes from colorectal cancer resection specimens be processed in their entirety?. Issue 2 (19th October 2011)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ervine, Aaron; Houghton, Joe; Park, Richard
• Is Part Of: Journal of clinical pathology. Volume 65:Issue 2(2012)
• Page Start: 114
• Page End: 116
• Publication Date: 2011-10-19
• Subjects: 3-D reconstruction -- acid phosphatone; Pathology -- Periodicals; Pathology, Molecular -- Periodicals; 616.0705
• DOI: 10.1136/jclinpath-2011-200263
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9746

Abstract

Abstract : Aims: To quantify the benefit of processing each lymph node in its entirety in colorectal cancer specimens. Methods: 391 consecutive cases were examined retrospectively to assess how often cases were upstaged to node positive disease by examining each node in its entirety. Results: 7 out of 391 patients were upstaged by this method. However, of those patients, approximately three could have been detected by chance. Therefore, approximately 1% of cases were correctly upstaged. However, six of these seven patients also had at least one additional adverse prognostic factor, and would otherwise have been considered high risk Dukes' B cases. Conclusions: Processing all slices of each lymph node significantly increases laboratory workload and is of minimal clinical benefit.