The “N”—factor in non-small cell lung cancer: staging system and institutional reports

Lymph node (LN) status is a highly significant component of staging of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Staging of NSCLC provides prognostic data related to the risk of recurrence as well as overall survival (1). Lymph node metastasis alters the treatment decisions, including surgical resectability and appropriateness of adjuvant interventions.