Lymph node harvests directly influence the staging of colorectal cancer: evidence from a regional audit

• DOI: 10.1136/jcp.57.1.43
• Publication Date: 2003-12-23T18:53:07Z
• Authors: D F H Pheby
• Keywords: Histopathology

To assess the quality of histopathology reporting and accuracy Dukes's staging colorectal cancers in former South Western Health region to determine impact numbers lymph nodes examined on stage ascription.Histopathology reports cancer for 1993-7 were analysed. Completeness was assessed regarding reported examined, found positive, stage, ICD9 code. Numbers recorded. Results from one hospital known have high standards compared with those elsewhere.In total, 629 reference 918 elsewhere. Fewer than 20 (4.3%) incomplete, a third (36.1%) The average number each case at 18.81 6.41 positive 2.47 1.15 proportion C cases significantly higher Ascertainment related optimal ascertainment levels when least 10 fewer 15 examined.Standards reporting, C, hospital. Variations disease mainly resulted variations examined.