User login
BACKGROUND
In 2017, the Thoracic Tumor Board realized that there were patients whose lung resections had critical review of the slides and reports prior to presentation. Errors were found which resulted in a change of the pathology Tumor Nodal Metastases (pTNM) staging for the patient. The impacts were important for determining appropriate therapy. It was decided to systematically review all lung cancer resections for accuracy before determining definitive therapy recommendations.
METHODS
All lung resections for malignancy were examined prior and up to 2 days of completion for accuracy of tumor type, tumor size, tumor grade, lymph node metastases and pathologic stage (pTNM). Any errors found were given to the original pathologist for a change in the report before release or for a modified report to be issued.
RESULTS
From June 2017 to December 2020, there were 91 lung resections with 28 (30.77%) errors. Errors included: 16 incorrect pathologic staging, 5 missed tumors in lung and lymph nodes, 2 unexamined stapled surgical margins, 1 wrong site, 1 incorrect lymph node number and 2 missed tumor vascular invasion.
IMPLICATIONS
Quality improvement (QI) review of lung resections by a second pathologist is important and may clearly improve pathologic staging for lung cancer patients. It can be added to QI programs currently used in Surgical Pathology. It is important in directing appropriate postsurgical therapies.
BACKGROUND
In 2017, the Thoracic Tumor Board realized that there were patients whose lung resections had critical review of the slides and reports prior to presentation. Errors were found which resulted in a change of the pathology Tumor Nodal Metastases (pTNM) staging for the patient. The impacts were important for determining appropriate therapy. It was decided to systematically review all lung cancer resections for accuracy before determining definitive therapy recommendations.
METHODS
All lung resections for malignancy were examined prior and up to 2 days of completion for accuracy of tumor type, tumor size, tumor grade, lymph node metastases and pathologic stage (pTNM). Any errors found were given to the original pathologist for a change in the report before release or for a modified report to be issued.
RESULTS
From June 2017 to December 2020, there were 91 lung resections with 28 (30.77%) errors. Errors included: 16 incorrect pathologic staging, 5 missed tumors in lung and lymph nodes, 2 unexamined stapled surgical margins, 1 wrong site, 1 incorrect lymph node number and 2 missed tumor vascular invasion.
IMPLICATIONS
Quality improvement (QI) review of lung resections by a second pathologist is important and may clearly improve pathologic staging for lung cancer patients. It can be added to QI programs currently used in Surgical Pathology. It is important in directing appropriate postsurgical therapies.
BACKGROUND
In 2017, the Thoracic Tumor Board realized that there were patients whose lung resections had critical review of the slides and reports prior to presentation. Errors were found which resulted in a change of the pathology Tumor Nodal Metastases (pTNM) staging for the patient. The impacts were important for determining appropriate therapy. It was decided to systematically review all lung cancer resections for accuracy before determining definitive therapy recommendations.
METHODS
All lung resections for malignancy were examined prior and up to 2 days of completion for accuracy of tumor type, tumor size, tumor grade, lymph node metastases and pathologic stage (pTNM). Any errors found were given to the original pathologist for a change in the report before release or for a modified report to be issued.
RESULTS
From June 2017 to December 2020, there were 91 lung resections with 28 (30.77%) errors. Errors included: 16 incorrect pathologic staging, 5 missed tumors in lung and lymph nodes, 2 unexamined stapled surgical margins, 1 wrong site, 1 incorrect lymph node number and 2 missed tumor vascular invasion.
IMPLICATIONS
Quality improvement (QI) review of lung resections by a second pathologist is important and may clearly improve pathologic staging for lung cancer patients. It can be added to QI programs currently used in Surgical Pathology. It is important in directing appropriate postsurgical therapies.