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. 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). **Regional lymph nodes** **All colon sites** Colic [NOS] Epicolic (adjacent to bowel wall) Mesocolic [NOS] Mesenteric [NOS] Paracolic/pericolic **Cecum (C180)** Anterior (prececal) Cecal [NOS] Ileocolic Periappendiceal Posterior (retrocecal) Right colic **Ascending colon (C182)** Ileocolic Middle colic Right colic **Hepatic flexure (C183)** Middle colic Right colic **Transverse colon (C184)** Inferior mesenteric Left colic Middle colic Right colic **Splenic flexure (C185)** Inferior mesenteric Left colic Middle colic **Descending colon (C186)** Inferior mesenteric Left colic Sigmoid **Sigmoid colon (C187)** Inferior mesenteric Left colic Rectosigmoid Sigmoid Sigmoidal (sigmoid mesenteric) Superior hemorrhoidal Superior rectal

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	Nodule(s) or foci in pericolic fat/adjacent mesentery/mesocolic fat 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)

(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., 104 \# NX is not defined in AJCC 7th edition.