title: The importance of accurate pathological assessment of lymph node involvement in colorectal cancer.
abstract: This review presents an up-to-date analysis of the importance of accurate pathological lymph node staging in colorectal cancer. Lymph node staging is reliant on the technique of the surgeon and the pathologist as well as methods employed in the histopathology laboratory, and is vital for determining appropriate therapy. The significance of micrometastatic nodal disease is evaluated and new techniques for pathological evaluation are discussed. Recommendations for evaluation of lymph node status in colorectal cancer are provided based on current scientific evidence, and standardization of pathological dissection and laboratory handling is advocated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular Pathology, Maidstone, UK. john.schofield@nhs.net
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Schofield
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Mounter
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mallett
authors.forename: N Y
authors.initials: NY
authors.lastname: Haboubi
mesh_terms: D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D003107:Colorectal Surgery; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010819:Physician's Role; D019310:Pseudolymphoma / Q000473:pathology; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting