In this study, we aimed to develop a predictive model of lymph node yield in a series of colon cancer resection specimens with detailed anatomic and surgical technique data.

Lymph node yield in colon resection specimens has been associated with the accuracy of staging and cancer outcomes. It has been proposed that the more central the mesenteric vascular ligation, the greater the nodal yield. However, the optimal number of harvested nodes is still a matter of debate. We prospectively evaluated the relation between specimen properties such as lenght, area, tumor location and pedicle length to the number of harvested nodes and rate of node positivity.

Inclusion Criteria:

The surgical patients with a histologic diagnosis of colonic neoplasm, Colectomy of any type, including the right hemicolectomy, the left hemicolectomy, the sigmoid resection, segmental colon resection

Exclusion Criteria:

• rectal or rectosigmoid cancer colectomy beyond the inclusion criteria for colectomies patients younger than 18 previous colon resection emergency colon resection familial adenomatous polyposis or ulcerative colitis

The pathology specimens from colon neoplasm resections will be prepared so that the lymph nodes will be separated according to their anatomic relationship to the vascular pedicles and to the tumor. Prior to dissection, the specimen will be measured from all colonic tumor patients.