Standard protocol for assessment of colon cancer improves the quality of pathology.

• Aim: Tumour stage is the most important prognostic factor in colon cancer. The aim of this study was to examine the impact on the quality of pathology by the use of a standardized PAD protocol. Method: A standardized PAD protocol for colorectal cancer was developed and all patients subjected to colon resection due to adenocarcinomas between 2004 and 2006 were analyzed concerning lymph node status, circumferential resection margin (CRM), intravascular and perineural growth. Moreover, usage of the PAD protocol and whether a pathologist or biomedicine analytic technician (BMA) performed the lymph node dissection was noted and also if the surgical procedure was elective or acute. Results: During the study period 302 colon resections were carried out. The standard protocol was employed in 68% of the cases varying from 0-100% between pathologists. The median number of investigated lymph nodes was 16 ± 11. When the lymph node dissection was performed by a BMA, significantly more lymph nodes were examined; 22 ± 15 and 14 ± 9 respectively (p<0.01). There was a positive correlation between application of the standard protocol and the number of analyzed lymph nodes (<0.05). Comments on CRM, perineural growth and intravascular growth were also significantly more frequent when the protocol was used. Emergency surgery did not influence the handling of the specimens. Conclusion: Minor efforts in terms of a standard protocol for pathology and specimen dissection by BMAs, leading to an increased quality of the PAD-report may also improve long term outcome for patients.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Kirurgi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Surgery (hsv//eng)

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