title: Is the longitudinal margin of carcinoma-bearing colon resections a neglected parameter?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Resection of colon cancer with curative intent implies clear margins. An arbitrary requirement of 2 cm DtLM generally ensures surgical and pathological clearance. However, harvest of tumor-draining lymph nodes is related to DtLM. For this reason, an extended longitudinal margin becomes an issue. The major objective of the present study concerns quality development of colon resections, recording the status of DtLM, pT and pN stage, and the pathologists' reporting pattern.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study comprised colectomy specimens obtained in 2010 to 2011 at Hvidovre Hospital with documented and suspected carcinoma. Specimens were stratified into 2 groups: DtLM < 5 cm and ≥ 5 cm. Data were correlated with lesional site, surgical approach, pT and pN stage and the pathologists' reporting approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  DtLM reporting was lacking in 6% of the specimens. DtLM was < 5 cm in 32% of the specimens. Sixty-three and 83.5% of the cancer specimens with DtLM < 5 cm were node-negative and stage pT3/4, respectively, compared with 49% and 87.5% of the ≥ 5 cm counterpart. The difference in percentage distribution of pN stage in the 2 groups was significant, and no significant difference was observed in relation to pT stage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that DtLM < 5 cm in colon cancer surgery might result in diagnostic "understaging" and hence leaving metastasis in the patient.
authors: Department of Pathology, Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark. Electronic address: sara-roervig@hotmail.com.
authors: Sara
authors: S
authors: Rørvig
authors: Department of Pathology, Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark.
authors: Nis
authors: N
authors: Schlesinger
authors: Department of Surgery, Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark.
authors: Nina Løth
authors: NL
authors: Mårtensson
authors: Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: Sara
authors: S
authors: Engel
authors: Department of Pathology, Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark.
authors: Ulla
authors: U
authors: Engel
authors: Department of Pathology, Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark.
authors: Susanne
authors: S
authors: Holck
mesh_terms: D002277:Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D003082:Colectomy / Q000379:methods*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D009367:Neoplasm Staging / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Colon cancer; Distance to longitudinal margin; Lymph node status; Pathology report; Quality development