Definition
The total number of regional lymph nodes reported as containing tumour after examination by a pathologist.
Components
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Data Element ConceptPerson with cancer—number of positive regional lymph nodes
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Object ClassPerson with cancer
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PropertyNumber of positive regional lymph nodes
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Value DomainTotal lymph nodes code N[NN]
Representation
This representation is based on the value domain for this data element, more information is available at " Total lymph nodes code N[NN] ".| Data Type | Number |
|---|---|
| Format | N[NN] |
| Maximum character length | 3 |
| Value | Meaning | Start Date | End Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supplementary Values | 997 | Number of lymph nodes unknown |
Comments
Guide for use:
A list of which lymph nodes are defined as regional lymph nodes for each cancer site may be found in the TNM Classification of Tumours, 6th Edition, UICC.
Number includes all positive nodes regardless of whether removed/examined at a single or multiple procedures, e.g. for breast cancer, record the sum of positive nodes detected in node sampling/sentinel node biopsy and those removed at axillary clearance.
For cancer registries, collection of this data item should only be from notification and pathology reports relating to initial diagnosis and not for recurrent or metastatic disease.
Origin:
Australian Cancer Network
Commission on Cancer American College of Surgeons
References
Australian Cancer Network The pathology reporting of breast cancer. A guide for pathologists, surgeons and radiologists Second Edition Sydney (2001)
Commission on Cancer, Standards of the Commission on Cancer Registry Operations and Data Standards (ROADS) Volume II (1998)
Johnson CH, Adamo M (eds.), SEER Program Coding and Staging Manual 2007. National Cancer Institute, NIH Publication number 07-5581, Bethesda, MD 2007.
This content Based on Australian Institute of Health and Welfare material. Attribution provided as required under the AIHW CC-BY licence.