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Under the new AJCC classification system, N staging is based on the
number
of positive nodes (N1 = 1-6 nodes; N2 = 7-15 nodes; N3 > 15 )
(This approach differs from the previous classification system, which was
based on anatomic location)
•
Several studies have confirmed the superiority of number of positive
nodes in the estimation of prognosis , but anatomic nodal location
remains a valuable criterion because the D classification, a description of
the extent of lymphadenectomy, is determined according to the level of
lymph node dissection (D1–D4).