Prognostic significance of the pattern of pathological N1 lymph node metastases for non-small cell lung cancer

In contrast to the TNM classification schemes for many other types of cancer, the classification of lymph node metastases in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) relies on anatomical location alone. Some investigations have suggested that the total number of affected lymph nodes or lymph nodes stations may more accurately reflect prognosis (1,2). Initial analyses performed by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) for its updated 8th edition of the TNM classification system also suggested that a more differentiated classification of nodal metastases is needed (3)