Quality indicators for gastric cancer surgery: a survey of practicing pathologists in Ontario

Adequate lymph node (LN) assessment and R0 resection are critical to the staging and management of gastric cancer. The American Joint Committee on Cancer/International Union Against Cancer recommend at least 15 LN be assessed, and the literature suggests a gross disease-free margin of 5-6 cm be achieved. Results of an Ontario general surgeons' survey indicated these standards were not widely known. Because disease management is highly collaborative, we surveyed pathologists to assess their knowledge of LN assessment and margins for processing gastric cancer specimens.

Pathologists were identified by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario and MD Select databases. Participants were surveyed online or by mail.

Pathologists indicated a goal of assessing <5 LN (2%), 5-10 LN (27%), 10-15 LN (40%), 15-20 LN (20%), or >20 LN (11%). Most self-reported an actual assessment of 5-10 LN (49%), with 88% reporting a number below current standards. Additionally, 54% of responding pathologists identified >1 cm as an adequate gross margin, and 89% of pathologists indicated a response below current standards. Ninety-four percent of pathologists agreed that more education on gastric cancer is valuable.

To improve the quality of gastric cancer management, our findings suggest the need for clear, consistent guidelines for adequate gross margin resection length. Furthermore, there is a critical need for education aimed at closing the knowledge gap among practicing pathologists and surgeons regarding current recommended guidelines for LN assessment and adequate margin length.