FIGURE 5.

The distance of peritumoral TDs to be located from the body of the primary tumor. The UICC defines tumor deposits (TDs) as discrete macroscopic or microscopic nodules of cancer in the pericolorectal adipose tissue's lymph drainage area of a primary carcinoma that are discontinuous from the primary, but the objective judgment is difficult for the discontinuity. (A) A nodule located at 7.5 mm from the body of the primary tumor; (B) a nodule that is located just below the body of the primary tumor and some streaks of fibrous tissue connecting them; (C) a nodule that is connected to the body of the primary tumor with cancerous tissue. In Japan, among these nodules, only the nodule (A) is regarded as a TD that should be recorded and treated as an N factor according to the “5‐mm” rule for the discontinuity of TDs (Japanese classification of colorectal, Appendiceal, and anal carcinoma, third English edition). (A–C), hematoxylin and eosin staining; Bar, 1 mm