Dataset for the reporting of carcinoma of the oesophagus in resection specimens: recommendations from the International Collaboration on Cancer Reporting

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A standardised dataset for oesophageal carcinoma pathology reporting was developed based on the approach of the International Collaboration on Cancer Reporting (ICCR) for the purpose of improving cancer patient outcomes and international benchmarking in cancer management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ICCR convened a multidisciplinary international expert panel to identify the best evidence-based clinical and pathological parameters for inclusion in the dataset for oesophageal carcinoma. The dataset incorporated the current edition of the World Health Organization Classification of Tumours of the Digestive System, and Tumour-Node-Metastasis (TNM) staging systems. RESULTS: The scope of the dataset encompassed resection specimens of the oesophagus and oesophagogastric junction with tumour epicentre ≤20 millimetres into the proximal stomach. Core reporting elements included information on neoadjuvant therapy, operative procedure used, tumour focality, tumour site, tumour dimensions, distance of tumour to resection margins, histological tumour type, presence and type of dysplasia, tumour grade, extent of invasion in the oesophagus, lymphovascular invasion, response to neoadjuvant therapy, status of resection margin, ancillary studies, lymph node status, distant metastases and pathological staging. Additional non-core elements considered useful to report included clinical information, specimen dimensions, macroscopic appearance of tumour, and coexistent pathology. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first international peer-reviewed structured reporting dataset for surgically resected specimens of the oesophagus. The ICCR carcinoma of the oesophagus dataset is recommended for routine use globally and is a valuable tool to support standardised reporting, to benefit patient care by providing diagnostic and prognostic best-practice parameters.