Davarzani N, et al. - Researchers assessed the prognostic value of tumour regression grade (TRG) and associated pathological factors in oesophageal cancer (OC) patients enrolled in the Medical Research Council (MRC) OE02 trial. They reviewed histopathology in resections from participants who underwent surgery (S group) or neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by surgery [chemotherapy plus surgery (CS) group]. They found that in patients with resectable oesophageal cancer, the most important prognostic factor was lymph node (LN) status post-NAC, regardless of TRG. The importance of LN dissection for staging and prognostication was strengthened by potential clinical implications, e.g. adjuvant treatment or intensified follow-up.