Pathologic N

This input is used for staging

Notes

**Note 1:** Histological examination of a regional lymphadenectomy specimen will ordinarily include 3 or more regional lymph nodes. If the regional lymph nodes are negative, but the number ordinarily examined is not met, classify as pN0. (1) **Note 2:** Code only regional nodes and nodes, NOS, in this field. Distant nodes are coded in M (distant metastasis). **Note 3:** Periaortic, pericaval, superior mesenteric artery, and celiac artery lymph nodes are coded to N2.

NAACCR Item

NAACCR #890
Pathologic N Pathologic N Display Description Registrar Notes
pX pNX Regional lymph node(s) cannot be assessed Pathologic classification criteria met, evaluation done:
Physician unable to assess N
Surgical resection primary tumor, no regional lymph nodes removed
Involvement of regional lymph nodes not documented
Physician assigns pNX, no other information available to determine N
p0 pN0 No regional lymph node metastasis
p1 pN1 Regional lymph node metastasis (including nodes along the cystic duct, common bile duct, common hepatic artery, and portal vein) Regional lymph nodes:
Cystic duct (Calot's node)
Node of foramen of Winslow (omental) (epiploic)
Pancreaticoduodenal
Pericholedochal (common bile duct)
Periduodenal
Peripancreatic (near head of pancreas only)
Porta hepatis (portal)(periportal) (hilar) (in hilus of liver)

Regional lymph nodes, NOS
Lymph nodes, NOS

Stated as N1
p2 pN2 Not defined by UICC* Metastasis to periaortic, pericaval, superior mesenteric artery, and/or celiac artery lymph nodes

Stated as N2
c0 cN0 Clinically: No regional lymph node metastasis Use only for TNM defined pTis cases where there is a resection of the primary and the nodes are not evaluated pathologically
88 88 Not applicable Primary site/histology not TNM defined
Death certificate only (DCO) case
<BLANK> BLANK See Registrar Notes Pathologic classification criteria not met
No surgical resection of primary tumor and there isn’t a positive biopsy of a structure in the highest T category and highest N category
Evidence of metastatic disease (pM1), no other workup
Only Pathologic Stage Group documented (no T, N, or M information available)
(1) International Union Against Cancer (UICC) *TNM Classification of Malignant Tumors,* 7th ed., Sobin, LH, Gospodarowicz, M, Wittekind, CH, eds. New York: Wiley, 2009, pg., 52 \* N2 is not defined by UICC in the 7th edition. Approval has been provided by UICC to use the definition from the AJCC 7th edition, which is documented in the registrar notes.