Pathologic N

This input is used for staging

Notes

**Note 1:** Code only regional nodes and nodes, NOS, in this field. Distant nodes are coded in M (distant metastasis). **Note 2:** Regional nodes include bilateral and contralateral involvement of named nodes. **Note 3:** Size of the largest metastasis in a lymph node must be known to assign N. You may use a physician’s statement of the N category if this is the only information in the medical record. * If the size of the metastasis is not documented, determine the size of the largest involved lymph node as documented pathologically * If the size of the lymph node(s) cannot be determined, assign N1 * Do not code the size of any node(s) assigned in M (distant metastasis) **Regional lymph nodes** Renal Pelvis Aortic, NOS Lateral (lumbar) Para-aortic Periaortic Paracaval Renal hilar Retroperitoneal, NOS Regional lymph node, NOS Ureter Iliac, NOS Common External Internal (hypogastric), NOS Obturator Lateral aortic (lumbar) Paracaval Pelvic, NOS Periureteral Renal hilar Retroperitoneal, NOS

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 a single lymph node 2 cm or less in greatest dimension Single or multiple nodes not stated, size not stated

Regional lymph node, NOS
Lymph nodes, NOS

Stated as N1
p2 pN2 Metastasis in a single lymph node more than 2 cm but not more than 5 cm in greatest dimension, OR
Multiple lymph nodes, none more than 5 cm in greatest dimension
Single or multiple nodes not stated, size stated and greater than 2 cm but less than or equal to 5 cm

Stated as N2
p3 pN3 Metastasis in a lymph node more than 5 cm in greatest dimension Single or multiple nodes not stated, size stated and greater than 5 cm

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)