Staging of Resected Lung Cancers

Abstract

Abstract In this review, the authors discuss the current pathologic staging of lung cancers, with emphasis on pointers to filling out synoptic forms. A table that combines clinical staging (which oncologists and surgeons use to direct care) with pathologic underpinnings is provided so that a pathologist can easily translate pTNM stage with clinical stage. The major areas of difficulty in pathologic staging are addressed in separate sections, including margins, multiple nodules, determination of invasion, treatment effect, and invasion of adjacent structures.