Accuracy of histopathology reporting in colorectalcancer (crc): we need a proforma

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The quality of a histopathology report in CRC will determine prognosis and the need for adjuvant therapy. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the completeness of pathology reports in colorectal cancer.METHODS: In 82 consecutive patients (rectal cancer 47, colon cancer 35) based on the minimum data set by the Royal College of Pathologists, UK. Pathology reports were reviewed by a single person who looked for 17 pathology data sets for colon cancer and 15 for rectal cancer. Completeness of reporting(%) was classified as 40 - 50%, 60 - 70% or 80 - I 00%. RESULTS: 47 of rectal cancer group, 5 (11%) reports were 40-59% complete and 23 (49%) and 19 (40%) were 60-79% and 80-100% complete respectively. In the colon cancer group 04 ( 11.5%), 13.(37%) and 18 (51.5%) were in the categories of 40-59%, 60-79% and 80-100% respectively. The presence or absence of tumour at the resection margin was reported in 91.5%. Information on the distance of tumour to distal resection margin was present in 68% of reports. Apical node involvement was commented in 33%. CONCLUSION: There is a wide variation in the quality of pathology reports in colorectal cancer. We have found a lack of vital data in up to two thirds of the reports.