Stage migration in colorectal cancer related to improved lymph node assessment

Aim The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical impact of improved cooperation between the treating surgeons and pathologists in a high volume surgical unit. As a measure we used the staging process with special focus on lymph node assessment. Findings Comparing two periods 5 years apart, we found a significant increase in the number of nodes examined and also an increase in the number of metastasis-positive nodes. Concurrently, we observed a trend in stage migration from stage I/II towards stage III, whilst stage IV remained unchanged. This was one factor that contributed to an increase in the number of patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy. We also found that the number of assessed nodes had an impact on survival in stage II. The major change in practise was the implementation of a multidisciplinary team conference and the associated possibility of reciprocal feedback. Conclusion Lymph node status has a key role in cancer staging and in the selection of further therapy. The quality and the standard of the assessment can be improved through multidisciplinary cooperation and it has an impact on the clinical decisions and can affect long-term survival. A correct node status should be mandatory in the evaluation of prognostic factors.