Pathologic N
This input is used for staging
Notes
**Note 1:** Histological examination of a regional lymphadenectomy specimen will ordinarily include 6 or more lymph nodes. If the 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:** Regional lymph nodes for any part of the esophagus fall in the range from periesophageal/cervical to the celiac region. Contralateral and bilateral cervical, supraclavicular, and mediastinal lymph nodes are included. **Note 4:** Celiac nodes are coded in N (regional lymph nodes) for lower thoracic (abdominal) esophagus; they are coded in M (distant metastasis) for cervical and intrathoracic (upper and middle) esophagus. Cervical nodes, NOS are coded in N (regional lymph nodes) for cervical esophagus; they are coded in M (distant metastasis) for upper and lower thoracic (abdominal) esophagus. **Note 5:** Lymph node stations/groups are listed in parentheses when applicable. **Regional Lymph Nodes for Esophagus (including contralateral or bilateral)** **All esophagus subsites** Anterior mediastinal (6) Mediastinal, NOS Peri-/paraesophageal (8L, 8M) **Cervical esophagus (C150)** Anterior deep cervical (laterotracheal) (recurrent laryngeal) Anterior mediastinal (6) Aortopulmonary (5) Cervical, NOS Cervical (deep), NOS Diaphragmatic (15) Internal jugular, NOS Jugulodigastric (subdigastric) Mediastinal, NOS Para-aortic (ascending aorta or phrenic) Paratracheal (2R, 2L, 4R, 4L) Posterior mediastinal (3P) Pulmonary ligament (9) Scalene (inferior deep cervical) (1) Subaortic Supraclavicular (transverse cervical) (1) Superior mediastinal **Upper thoracic esophagus (C151, C153)** Cervical lymph nodes **Lower thoracic (abdominal) esophagus (C152, C155)** Aortopulmonary (5) Diaphragmatic (15) Celiac lymph nodes (20) Left gastric (superior gastric) (17): cardiac (cardial), lesser curvature, perigastric, NOS Para-aortic (ascending aorta or phrenic) Paratracheal (2R, 2L, 4R, 4L) Posterior mediastinal (3P) (tracheoesophageal) Pulmonary ligament (9) Subaortic Superior mediastinal **Intrathoracic esophagus, upper (C153) or middle (C154)** Aortopulmonary (5) Carinal (tracheobronchial) (10R,10L) (tracheal bifurcation) Cervical: deep (NOS), lower (NOS), middle (NOS), upper (NOS) Diaphragmatic (15) Hilar (bronchopulmonary) (proximal lobar) (pulmonary root) Internal jugular, NOS Intrabronchial, NOS Jugulo-omohyoid (supraomohyoid) Jugulodigastric (subdigastric) Left gastric (superior gastric) (17): cardiac (cardial), lesser curvature, perigastric (NOS) Para-aortic (ascending aorta or phrenic) Peritracheal Posterior mediastinal (tracheoesophageal) Pulmonary ligament (9) Superior mediastinalNAACCR Item
NAACCR #890| Pathologic N | Pathologic N Display | Description | Registrar Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| pX | pNX | Regional lymph nodes 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 | Regional lymph nodes, NOS Lymph nodes, NOS Stated as N1 |
| 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 | In situ case but no pTis is defined by TNM 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) |