A unique system for the correlation between removed lymph nodes for lung cancer diagnosis and pathological analysis thereof is provided. Such a system includes the removal of certain lymph nodes from a suspected or known lung cancer patient with subsequent categorization thereof and placement within a properly divided and labeled specimen collection kit. Through the utilization of such a separation and placement allows and facilitates understanding and non-verbal communication between a surgeon and a pathologist in order to denote the location of the removed lymph nodes in relation to a known or suspected lung cancer tumor or growth. The overall diagnostic method, including the important communicative properties accorded both the particular surgeon and pathologist, is encompassed within this invention, as well as the specific collection specimen kit that permits the surgeon proper distinction of specific removal lymph nodes in relation to their location within the patients body.