Linking surgical specimen length and examined lymph nodes in colorectal cancer patients

NLN increased over time in accordance with international guidelines. Surgical specimen length correlated with NLN which may determine therapeutic choices, particularly in stage II colon cancer. When harvested lymph nodes are under 10 in number and all are negative, chemotherapy is always recommended. As specimen lengths <20 cm were associated with a high risk of inadequate NLN counts, patients are at risk of over-treatment.