2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) - Posters-P2.05C.01 Pathologic Nodal Staging Reporting Quality: A Multi-Center Assessment of NSCLC Trends Over Time & Key Reporting Parameters

P2.05C.01 Pathologic Nodal Staging Reporting Quality: A Multi-Center Assessment of NSCLC Trends Over Time & Key Reporting Parameters

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The document provides a summary of a multi-center retrospective study evaluating the quality of pathologist-assigned nodal staging in patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) from 2009 to 2019. The research highlights significant variability in pathologic reporting practices across different centers, affecting the management and survival outcomes for NSCLC patients.<br /><br />The study involved 2,356 patients with clinical stage I-II NSCLC who underwent upfront resection. The nodal staging (N stage) was categorized as N0, Nx, or unreported. Key findings indicated a high proportion of inappropriate nodal staging: 59.9% were labeled as "Incomplete N0" (i-N0) and 17.5% as "False Nx" (X-Nx), demonstrating inaccuracies in assigning nodal status. In over 60% of cases, inappropriate N0 assignments were made, leading to potential underestimation of disease severity.<br /><br />The study used integrated electronic health records and cancer registry data to assess demographic, cancer-specific, and treatment-related factors. It found that proper pathologist-assigned nodal staging was absent or unreported in about 4.4% of cases. Unreported N stages decreased significantly after 2011, demonstrating some improvement in reporting quality.<br /><br />The study concludes that despite advances in standardized reporting templates, significant room for improvement remains. It emphasizes the need for increased cross-disciplinary communication and adherence to established standards, suggesting a standardized approach to quantifying lymph node fragments to enhance data quality.<br /><br />The research team involved experts from multiple institutions, including the University of California and Kaiser Permanente, highlighting the collaborative effort to improve NSCLC nodal staging practices. The findings underscore the critical need for accurate pathologic reporting to inform optimal treatment strategies and improve patient outcomes in NSCLC.

Asset Subtitle

Haley Tupper

Meta Tag

Speaker Haley Tupper

Topic Pulmonology & Staging

Keywords

NSCLC

nodal staging

pathologist

variability

reporting practices

disease severity

electronic health records

standardized templates

cross-disciplinary communication

treatment outcomes