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)
(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., 108