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:** Bilateral nodes are classified as regional nodes for tumors with bidirectional drainage to primary nodal basins, as shown on lymphoscintigraphy. * Clinical assessment of bilateral regional nodal involvement is required for tumors where lymphoscintigraphy is not performed **Note 4:** Contiguous or secondary nodal basins are the next nodal drainage basins beyond the primary nodal basins. Secondary basins are regional for TNM staging. **Note 5:** In transit metastasis is defined as a tumor distinct from the primary lesion and located either between the primary lesion and the draining regional lymph nodes or distal to the primary lesion. * In transit metastasis is coded in N (regional lymph nodes) **Note 6:** Code isolated tumor cells (ITCs) as positive nodes. **Regional lymph nodes** * Head and Neck sites include bilateral or contralateral nodes **Lip (C440)** Cervical Facial, NOS Buccinator (buccal) Nasolabial Mandibular, NOS Parotid, NOS Infra-auricular Preauricular Submental Submandibular (submaxillary) **External ear/auditory canal (C442)** Cervical Mastoid (post-/retro-auricular) (occipital) Preauricular **Face, Other (cheek, chin, forehead, jaw, nose and temple) (C443)** Cervical Facial, NOS Buccinator (buccal) Nasolabial Mandibular, NOS Parotid, NOS Infra-auricular Preauricular Submental Submandibular (submaxillary) **Scalp (C444)** Mastoid (post-/retro-auricular) (occipital) Parotid, NOS Infra-auricular Preauricular Spinal accessory (posterior cervical) **Neck (C444)** Axillary Mandibular, NOS Mastoid (post-/retro-auricular) (occipital) Parotid, NOS Infra-auricular Preauricular Spinal accessory (posterior cervical) Submental Supraclavicular (transverse cervical) **Trunk (C445)** Axillary Cervical Internal mammary (parasternal) Femoral (superficial inguinal) Supraclavicular (transverse cervical) **Arm/Shoulder (C446)** Axillary Epitrochlear for hand/forearm Spinal accessory for shoulder **Leg/Hip (C447)** Femoral (superficial inguinal) Popliteal for heel and calf **Bidirectional nodal involvement (includes bilateral or contralateral nodes)** Upper Trunk: Femoral (or cephalad/caudal drainage from primary tumor) Lower Trunk: Axillary (or cephalad/caudal drainage from primary tumor) **Secondary nodal basin involvement (includes bilateral or contralateral nodes)** Head and Neck: Supraclavicular Arm/Shoulder: Supraclavicular Leg/Hip: Iliac All sites: Regional lymph node(s) in secondary nodal basins, NOS **Regional lymph node(s), 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 | Regional lymph node metastasis | Note: N1 has subcategories of N1a and N1b. Assign N1 only when there is no information available to assign one of the subcategories Regional lymph nodes, NOS Lymph nodes, NOS Stated as N1 [NOS] |
| p1A | pN1a | Microscopic metastasis (clinically occult: cN0 + pN1) |
ITCs only WITH or WITHOUT regional lymph node involvement Stated as N1a |
| p1B | pN1b | Macroscopic metastasis (clinically apparent: cN1 + pN1) |
Stated as N1b |
| p2 | pN2 | In-transit metastasis | Satellite nodule(s) or in-transit metastasis, distance from primary tumor less than or equal to 2 cm or distance not stated WITHOUT regional lymph node involvement Includes cases with ITCs only and cases with regional lymph node involvement not stated Described as tumor with satellite nodule(s) or in-transit metastasis, NOS WITH or WITHOUT regional lymph node involvement 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 | 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) |