Standardized, synoptic pathologic reporting for
tumors greatly improves communication among clinicians, patients, and researchers, supporting prognostication and comparison about patient outcomes across institutions and countries. The International Collaboration on
Cancer Reporting is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to develop evidence-based, universally available surgical pathology reporting data sets. Within the head and neck region,
lymph node excisions and
neck dissections are frequently performed as part of the management of head and
neck cancers arising from the mucosal sites (sinonasal tract, nasopharynx, oropharynx, hypopharynx, oral cavity, and larynx) along with bone
tumors,
skin cancers,
melanomas, and other
tumor categories. The type of specimen, exact location (lymph node level), laterality, and orientation (by
suture or diagram) are essential to accurate classification. There are significant staging differences for each anatomic site within the head and neck when lymph node sampling is considered, most importantly related to human papillomavirus-associated oropharyngeal
carcinomas and mucosal
melanomas. Number, size, and site of affected lymph nodes, including guidelines on determining the size of
tumor deposits and the presence of
extranodal extension and soft tissue
metastasis, are presented in the context of prognostication. This review elaborates on each of the elements included in the data set for Nodal Excisions and
Neck Dissection Specimens for Head & Neck Tumours.