Tumor Tips

Tumor Tip of the Week 08-30-2024 Regional Node Positive/Examined Document Where They Come From

Scenario#1: Positive FNA of a lymph node in same lymph node chain removed at surgery

  • Lung Cancer
    • FNA Hilar Node+
    • Lobectomy 3 Hilar nodes +, 2/11 Mediastinal Nodes +

 

LN StationResultRegional LN Positive

 

Regional LN Examined

 

Hilar1 FNA (+)

3 Nodes +

 

3

per STORE/SEER Do not count a positive aspiration or core biopsy of a lymph node in the same lymph

node chain removed at surgery as an additional node in Regional Nodes Positive when

there are positive nodes in the resection.

3

Per STORE/SEER Do not count an aspiration or core biopsy of a lymph node in the same lymph node chain

removed at surgery as an additional node in Regional Nodes Examined

Mediastinal2/11 Nodes +211
TOTAL05

 

14

 

Scenario#2: Positive FNA from a node in a different region

  • Right Breast Cancer
    • FNA Ipsilateral Supraclavicular Node + {per AJCC this is considered a regional lymph node for breast}
    • Right Axillary Dissection 4/9 nodes Positive

 

LN StationResultRegional LN Positive

 

Regional LN Examined

 

Supraclavicular1 FNA (+)

 

1

Per STORE/SEER Include the node in the count of Regional Nodes Positive when the positive aspiration or core biopsy is from a node in a different node region

1

Per STORE/SEER

Include the node in the count of Regional Nodes Examined when the aspiration or core biopsy is from a node in a different node region

Axillary4/9 Nodes +49

 

TOTAL05

 

10

 

Scenario #3: Positive/Negative FNA’s in Same & Different Lymph Node Regions

  • Right Lung Cancer
    • FNA Level 4,7, 10R are negative, but FNA level 11R+
    • Lobectomy w/ Mediastinal LN Dissection: Level 7 (1 node negative), Level 12 R (6 nodes negative)

 

LN StationResultRegional LN Positive

 

Regional LN Examined

 

Rationale
71 FNA (-)

1 LN Excised (-)

001 Per STORE/SEER

Do not count an aspiration or core biopsy of a lymph node in the same lymph node chain removed at surgery as an additional node in Regional Nodes Examined

 

Per STORE/SEER

Include the node in the count of Regional Nodes Examined when the aspiration or core

biopsy is from a node in a different node region

41 FNA (-)001

 

10R1 FNA (-)001
11R1 FNA +95 Per STORE/SEER Use code 95 when a positive lymph node is aspirated and surgically resected lymph nodes are negative1
12R6 LN Excised (-)006
TOTAL95

 

10

 

Scenario#4: Positive FNA of a lymph node Unknown if in same lymph node chain removed at surgery

  • Lung Cancer
    • FNA Regional Node+ at another facility (no further information available)
    • Level 7 (1 node+), Level 12R (6 nodes negative)
LN StationResultRegional LN Positive

 

Regional LN Examined

 

Regional Node NOS1 FNA (+)

 

Assume the lymph node that is core-biopsied or aspirated is part of the lymph node chain

surgically removed and do not include it in the count of Regional Nodes Positive when

its location is not known

Assume the lymph node that is aspirated or core-biopsied is part of the lymph node chain

surgically removed and do not include it in the count of Regional Nodes Examined when

its location is not known

Level 71 node +11
12R6 nodes –06
TOTAL01

 

07

 

 

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