Pathologic N
This input is used for staging
Notes
**Note 1:** Histological examination of a regional lymphadenectomy specimen will ordinarily include 12 or more lymph nodes; histological examination of an inguinal 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).NAACCR 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 | Metastasis in perirectal lymph node(s) | Unilateral or bilateral: Anorectal Inferior hemorrhoidal Lateral sacral (laterosacral) Perirectal Regional lymph node(s), NOS Lymph nodes, NOS Stated as N1 |
| p2 | pN2 | Metastasis in unilateral internal iliac AND/OR Unilateral inguinal lymph node(s) |
Unilateral: Internal iliac (hypogastric) Obturator Superficial inguinal (femoral) Stated as N2 |
| p3 | pN3 | Metastasis in perirectal and inguinal lymph nodes AND/OR Bilateral internal iliac AND/OR Bilateral inguinal lymph nodes |
Bilateral: Internal iliac (hypogastric) Obturator Superficial inguinal (femoral) Stated as N3 |
| 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) |