Standardization of the Colorectal Carcinoma Surgical Pathology Report

Wipawi Klaisuban MD*, Piyawadee Leksrisakul MD*, Woramin Riansuwan MD**,
Jiraporn Setakornnukul MD***, Ananya Pongpaibul MD*
*Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
**Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
***Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
Correspondence to : Ananya Pongpaibul, MD.
Department of Pathology Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok Thailand 10700.
Email: ananyamac@gmail.com
Received : 24 February 15 ; Accepted : 19 March 15

ABSTRACT

In 2010 Department of Pathology Siriraj Hospital had introduced a standardization program for reporting colorectal carcinoma. Then the completeness and accuracy of pathology reports were assessed. Slides were reviewed for accuracy of pT stage and rectal circumferential margin status. After standardization program the percentage of pT4 lesion had reached the recommended criteria. The completeness of prognostic factors reporting, accuracy of pT stage, accuracy of rectal circumferential margin and cases with adequate lymph node sampling were not significantly increased. Common pitfalls included incorrect pT stage (mostly at transition between T2-T3 and T3-T4), inadequate lymph node harvested and incorrect rectal circumferential margin status. In conclusion, this study demonstrated a partial success of the standardization program in term of identifying serosal involvement and identified common pitfalls which could guide for further intervention to improve overall pathology laboratory performance.