An Evaluation of the Relationship Between Lymph Node Number and Staging in pT3 Colon Cancer Using Population-Based Data

• DOI: 10.1007/dcr.0b013e3181c70425
• Publication Date: 2011-04-07T18:23:47Z
• Authors: Nancy N. Baxter; Rocco Ricciardi; Marko Simunovic; David R. Urbach; Beth A. Virnig
• Keywords: Odds

PURPOSE: The number of lymph nodes examined has been proposed as a quality benchmark for colon cancer surgery, although it is unknown whether this strategy reduces understaging. METHODS: We identified 11,044 patients who underwent surgery with pT3 wall penetration between 1988 and 2003 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology End Results registry. determined proportion were node positive each count. used logistic regression to predict odds being by count after adjusting confounders. joinpoint analysis determine there was consistent relationship positive. RESULTS: found be increased at low counts (≤5–6 nodes), but 7 likely 30 or more (odds ratio = 0.97; 95% CI 0.90–1.05). Joinpoint demonstrated dramatic increase in positivity increasing 5 (slope 0.2; P < .0001). Between 6 13 marginal 0.03; .006), when evaluated, actually declined −0.01; .04). CONCLUSIONS: Staging improves count, only (<5–7 nodes). At higher counts, an effects on staging.