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. 2024 Jan 1;31(1):43-51.
doi: 10.1097/PAP.0000000000000410. Epub 2023 Aug 9.

Current Challenges and Controversies in Colorectal Carcinoma Pathologic Staging-A Practical Guide

Ian Clark  1   2 , Ansa Mehreen  1   2 , Paxton V Dickson  3   4 , David Shibata  3   4 , Evan S Glazer  3   4 , Nabajit Choudhury  3 , Richa Jain  5
Affiliations

Current Challenges and Controversies in Colorectal Carcinoma Pathologic Staging-A Practical Guide

Ian Clark et al. Adv Anat Pathol. .

Abstract

The pathologic assessment of colorectal carcinoma specimens plays a crucial role in the therapeutic management of patients and disease prognostication. The TNM staging system is used globally and is a critical component of colorectal carcinoma pathology reporting. However, our experience informs us that there are significant variations in the assignment of the TNM stage, both between pathologists and between hospital centers. We identify several potential reasons for this, among them suboptimal gross and microscopic assessment of colorectal resection specimens and, later, nonuniformity in applying criteria set forth in pathologic TNM staging guidelines. In addition, some defining characteristics of the staging system remain poorly defined. We aim to enlist those issues with potential remedies to improve reproducibility and, therefore, multidisciplinary discussion.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

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