Lymph node assessment: issues in pathology.

Metastasis to regional lymph nodes detected in cancer surgery specimens is a significant prognosticator and is also critical for subsequent planning of therapeutic options. Consequently, the status of regional lymph nodes has become a mandatory element of the synotic reporting on cancer resection specimens. Although pathologic reporting of lymph node metastasis is conceptually straightforward, several subtle processing and reporting issues deserve discussion. This review addresses pathology specific issues with particular emphasis on non-breast, non-cutaneous cancers.