CompariSon Between the EuroPeAn and Japanese pathologiCal InvEstigation for Colon Cancer (SPACE)

Japanese pathological investigation

The European pathology evaluation method involves the analysis of fresh and intact specimens. Pathologists carefully inspect the entire specimen's appearance and assess the surgical resection plane and capture complete photographs for documentation purposes before further sectioning the specimen. During specimen processing, the CRM is initially marked with ink or other markers. After fixation, macroscopic data are recorded, and the entire length of the intestine is cut into cross-sections at intervals of 3-4 millimeters. These sections are then undergoing subsequent systematic pathological examination. However, the surgeon will be involved in the Japanese pathological investigation method. Intraoperative markings will be made 10 cm bilaterally from the primary tumor area. The resected colon will be incised at 1 cm intervals, after which the pericolic lymph nodes will be harvested. Each single retrieved lymph node will be packed up independently and will be examined by the pathologist.