title: Importance of and adherence to lymph node staging standards in gastrointestinal cancer.
abstract: In gastrointestinal oncology, one of the most important factors influencing cancer-specific survival is the presence of positive lymph nodes. Although it remains controversial, adequate lymph node examination is required for accurate staging such that patients can receive appropriate adjuvant treatments and for stratification in clinical trials. Nevertheless, wide variation exists in the quality of lymph node examination in the United States, and many centers are not meeting guideline treatment recommendations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Surgical Outcomes and Quality Improvement Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Ryan P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Merkow
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Bentrem
mesh_terms: D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000401:mortality / Q000592:standards*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging / Q000401:mortality / Q000592:standards; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011364:Professional Practice / Q000592:standards; D011379:Prognosis; D058996:Quality Improvement; D014481:United States