It has been demonstratedthat lymph nodes harvest from surgical specimens of colorectal cancer is oneof the most important features for appropriate staging of the disease and toplain the best treatment. The perception of differences in the number of harvestlymph nodes in surgical specimens of colorectal cancer by the same surgeonsin different hospitals motivated this investigation. The aims of this studywas to assess whether there is difference in the number of lymph nodes and somehistopathological features in surgical specimens of colorectal cancer obtainedby two surgeons who work both in a university hospital and in a private one.
METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 122 patients, obtaining data onthe type of institution (university or private), demographic features, staging,tumor site, histological type, open or laparoscopic access, indication of radiotherapy,number of harvest lymph nodes, presence of vascular, lymphatic and neural invasions.
RESULTS: Sixty-five patients were operated in a university institutionand 57 in two private institutions. There was no difference between groups interms of age, stage, tumor site, details of radiotherapy and type of operation.The laparoscopic route was more common in the university institution. The medianof lymph nodes harvested was 25 (P25-75: 15-34) in the university institutionand 15 in the private ones (P25-75, 12-17) (p <.0001). The finding of 12or more lymph nodes was more common in academic institution (55/65 versus 40/57,p =. 024). The presence of information of lymphatic, vascular and perineuralinvasion was more common in the university institution.
CONCLUSION: Keeping the same surgical technique and with comparable populationof patients, there was considerable difference in the number of lymph nodesharvested between university and private institutions, as like as the reportof other relevant data for the histopathological staging, which impacts indicationfor adjuvant therapies. The relationship between the surgical team and the pathologistshould occur in all types of institutions, and the improvement of the qualityof the pathological examination should occur in non-university institutions.
