Size and histologic characteristics of lymph node material retrieved from tissue discarded after routine pathologic examination of lung cancer resection specimens.

Redissection of discarded lung resection specimens after routine pathology examination reveals missed lymph node metastasis. We sought to determine if size can be used to grossly select lymph nodes for microscopic examination. This is a prospective cohort study of lymph nodes retrieved from discarded lung resection specimens.

Incomplete intrapulmonary lymph node retrieval after routine pathologic examination of resected lung cancer.

Purpose: Pathologic nodal stage affects prognosis in patients with surgically resected non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Unlike examination of mediastinal lymph nodes (LNs), which depends on surgical practice, accurate examination of intrapulmonary (N1) nodes depends primarily on pathology practice. We investigated the completeness of N1 LN examination in NSCLC resection specimens and its potential impact on stage.