Persistent Problems in Colorectal Cancer Reporting

Rhonda K Yantiss

doi:10.1016/j.path.2017.07.010

Persistent Problems in Colorectal Cancer Reporting

Surg Pathol Clin. 2017 Dec;10(4):961-976. doi: 10.1016/j.path.2017.07.010.

Author

Rhonda K Yantiss¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, 525 East 68th Street, New York, NY 10065, USA. Electronic address: rhy2001@med.cornell.edu.

PMID: 29103542
DOI: 10.1016/j.path.2017.07.010

Abstract

Tumor stage, as determined by the Tumor, Node, Metastasis (TNM) staging system, is the single most influential factor determining treatment decisions and outcome among patients with colorectal cancer. Several stage-related elements in pathology reports consistently pose diagnostic challenges: recognition of serosal penetration by tumor (ie, pT3 vs pT4a), evaluation of regional lymph nodes, distinction between tumor deposits and effaced lymph nodes, and assessment of tumor stage in the neoadjuvant setting. This article discusses each of these issues in detail and provides practical tips regarding colorectal cancer staging.

Keywords: Colorectal cancer staging; Neoadjuvant; Prognostic features; TNM.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Colon / pathology
Colorectal Neoplasms / diagnosis*
Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
Humans
Lymphatic Metastasis
Neoplasm Invasiveness
Neoplasm Staging