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ABSTRACT Background Current threshold for minimum lymph node harvest may not be adequate for appropriate staging in colon cancer and newer surgical techniques may allow more lymph nodes to be harvested. The aim of this study was to examine the prognostic role of harvesting and examining lymph nodes higher in number than the recommended threshold (≥12), in patients with colon cancer. Methods This retrospective study included 179 patients that underwent open colon resection for adenocarcinoma of the colon. A D3 resection with high vascular ligation was made so that large number of lymph nodes was removed in most patients. Differences in overall survival between below and above three cutoff points (≥18, ≥24, ≥40) were estimated. Results During median 33 months of follow-up, 45 patients died and mean overall survival was 108.7 ± 5.6 months (95% CI, 97.7-119.7). The mean number of lymph nodes harvested and examined was 44.0 ± 25.7 (median 38; range, 7-150). No significant effect was found for three different cut-off values (≥18, ≥24, or ≥40 nodes) on mean overall survival (p > 0.05 for all comparisons). The same was true for the whole study population as well as for N0 (N negative) and N1-2 (N positive) patient subgroups, when they are analyzed separately. Conclusions Our findings do not support the survival benefit of substantially higher number of lymph nodes harvested in colon cancer.
RESUMO Fundamento: O limite atual para a coleta mínima de linfonodos pode não ser adequado para o estadiamento adequado no câncer de cólon e novas técnicas cirúrgicas podem permitir que um número maior de linfonodos seja coletado. O objetivo deste estudo foi examinar o papel prognóstico da coleta e exame de linfonodos em número maior do que o limite recomendado (≥ 12), em pacientes com câncer de cólon. Método: Este estudo retrospectivo incluiu 179 pacientes submetidos à ressecção aberta de cólon para adenocarcinoma de cólon. A ressecção D3 com ligadura vascular alta foi realizada para que um grande número de linfonodos fosse removido na maioria dos pacientes. As diferenças na sobrevida global entre abaixo e acima de três pontos de corte (≥ 18, ≥ 24, ≥ 40) foram estimadas. Resultados: Durante a mediana de 33 meses de seguimento, 45 pacientes morreram e a sobrevida global média foi de 108,7 ± 5,6 meses (IC 95%: 97,7-119,7). O número médio de linfonodos coletados e examinados foi de 44,0 ± 25,7 (mediana = 38; variação: 7-150). Nenhum efeito significativo foi encontrado para três valores de corte diferentes (≥ 18, ≥ 24 ou ≥ 40 linfonodos) na sobrevida global média (p >0,05 para todas as comparações). O mesmo foi verdadeiro para toda a população do estudo, bem como para os subgrupos de pacientes N0 (N negativos) e N1-2 (N positivos), quando analisados separadamente. Conclusões: Nossos achados não apoiam o benefício na sobrevida de um número substancialmente maior de linfonodos coletados no câncer de cólon.
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Humans , Male , Female , Adenocarcinoma/diagnosis , Colonic Neoplasms/diagnosis , Colonic Neoplasms/mortality , Lymph Node Excision/methods , Prognosis , Survival AnalysisABSTRACT
Resumen: El compromiso ganglionar es crítico en la estadificación del cáncer de colon como factor pronóstico y como determinante de tratamiento adyuvante. Se sigue discutiendo el número de ganglios adecuados a resecar, cuáles son los factores que inciden en la cosecha ganglionar y el significado biológico de ésta. Se revisan las variables clínicas y de la propia biología tumoral que hacen que la definición de un número determinado de ganglios, como gold standard de cosecha ganglionar adecuada, sea controversial. El número 12 no necesariamente es un número "mágico" marcador de calidad. Extender la resección para aumentar la cosecha ganglionar no mejora la estadificación, expone al paciente a riesgos innecesarios, sin efecto terapéutico comprobado. La "magia" sigue siendo realizar resecciones regladas, que incluyan el pedículo vascular y el meso satélite al tumor, ajustando la resección a las características del paciente. Menos no es más, pero más no es necesariamente mejor.
Summary: Lymph node compromise is critical in colon cancer staging, as a prognostic factor and to determine adjuvant therapy. The number of lymph nodes to be resected is still under discussion, as well as the factor that have an impact on lymph node harvest and its biological significance. We reviewed clinical variables and variables that are specific to the tumor, what results in the definition of a certain number of lymph nodes, as the adequate Gold Standard for lymph node harvest being controversial. 12 is not necessarily a "magic" number that marks quality. Extending resection to increase lymph node harvest does not improve staging, it exposes patients to unnecessary risks, there being no therapeutic effect guaranteed. The "Magic" continues to be routine resection that includes the cystic pedicle and the area around the tumour, adjusting resection to the patient's characteristics. Less is not best, but more is not necessarily better.
Resumo: O compromisso ganglionar é crítico no estadiamento do câncer de cólon, como fator prognóstico e como determinante do tratamento adjuvante. A discussão sobre o número de gânglios adequados a ressecar, quais são os fatores que incidem sobre a definição do número de linfonodos a ser retirados e seu significado biológico. Faz-se uma revisão das variáveis clínicas e da própria biologia tumoral, que fazem com que a definição de um número determinado de gânglios como Gold Standard do número adequado de linfonodos a remover seja controversa. O número 12 não é necessariamente um número "mágico", um marcador de qualidade. Ampliar a ressecção para aumentar o número de linfonodos que serão retirados não melhora o estadiamento, expõe o paciente a riscos desnecessários, sem um efeito terapêutico comprovado. A "Magia" continua sendo realizar ressecções de acordo com parâmetros definidos, que incluam o pedículo vascular e o mesocólon satélite ao tumor, ajustando a ressecção às características do paciente. Menos não é mais, porém mais não é necessariamente melhor.
Subject(s)
Colonic Neoplasms/classification , Lymph Node Excision , Neoplasm StagingABSTRACT
Background: Lymph node ratio (LNR) in cancer staging is the ratio of nodal metastases (LNM) to total nodes harvested (LNH). Reactive nodal hyperplasia can exhibit morphological patterns I to VI. Aims: To measure LNR and evaluate it with tumor stage, tumor grade, LN reactive patterns, and LN size. Setting and Design: Retrospective, observational study of 100 cancer resections including breast, gastrointestinal (GIT), genitourinary (GUT), and head, face, neck, and thyroid (HFNT). Materials and Methods: Total 1463 LNs were reviewed for metastases and reactivity patterns I–VI as per the World Health Organization (WHO) protocol. LNR was calculated from LNM and LNH. Statistical Analysis Used: Association between qualitative variables was assessed by the Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test, those between quantitative variables using the unpaired t-test and Mann–Whitney U test. Results: Mean LNH (23.7) was highest in HFNT and lowest (6.6) in GIT (P = 0.008). Mean LNR was highest (0.29) in breast and least (0.06) in HFNT (P = 0.861). Commonest LN reactive patterns were sinus histiocytosis (60), mixed (48), and follicular hyperplasia (46) (P = 0.000). Maximum cases of breast (59.6%), GUT (53.8%), and HFNT (45%) belonged to stage T2, while GIT (60.0%) to stage T3 (P = 0.000). Maximum well-differentiated cases belonged to HFNT (13, 59.0%), while moderately poorly differentiated cases of breast (38, 55.8% and 7, 70.0%) (P = 0.000). The largest and smallest metastatic LN was 2.4 cm and 0.4 cm (P = 0.009). LNs with thickened capsule showed nodal metastases in 75.7% (P = 0.003871). Conclusions: LNH and LNR cut-off values show organ-wise variation and need standardization. LNR shows stronger relation with tumor grade than tumor stage. Commonest LN reactive patterns include sinus histiocytosis and follicular hyperplasia. Thickened LN capsule strongly suggests nodal metastases. A longitudinal follow-up is warranted to study prognostic association between LNR and LN reactive pattern.
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Objective To investigate influencing factors of the number of lymph node harvest after radical resection of colorectal cancer.Methods The retrospective case-control study was conducted.The clinicopathological data of 227 patients with colorectal cancer who underwent radical resection in People's Hospital of Changshou Chongqing from June 2010 to June 2016 were collected.The surgical method and resection extention were determined depending on the tumor location showed on imaging examinations,and all patients underwent radical resection and sufficient lymph nodes dissection.Observation indicators:(1) intra-and post-operative situations;(2) influencing factors analysis of the number of lymph nodes harvest after radical resection of colorectal cancer;(3) follow-up and survival situations.Follow-up using outpatient examination and telephone interview was performed to detect patients' survival up to October 2016.Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as (x)±s.Univariate analysis was done using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability method.Multivariate analysis was performed using the binomial Logistic regression analysis.Results (1) Intra-and postoperative situation:all the 227 patients underwent successful radical resection of colorectal cancer,including 67 with radical resection of right colon cancer,16 with radical resection of left colon cancer,26 with radical resection of sigmoid colon cancer and 118 with radical resection of rectal cancer.Of 227 patients,118 received laparoscopic surgery,109 received open surgery including 8 converted to open surgery from laparoscopic surgery.Tumor located in right hernicolon,left hemicolon,sigmoid colon and rectum were respectively detected in 67,16,26 and 118 patients,same as results of imaging examintions.Operation time,volume of intraoperative blood loss and number of lymph nodes harvest in 227 patients were (192 ± 72) minutes,(94± 84) mL and 14 ± 4.Of 8 patients in 227patients with postoperative complications,2 received secondary suture due to wound infection,2 received reoperation due to intestinal obstruction,1 received transverse colostomy due to anastomotic leakage,and 3 received stoma reconstruction due to stoma retraction.Duration of postoperative hospital stay of 227 patients was (22±9) days.Postoperative pathological examininations:35 and 192 patients were respectively diagnosed with rnucinous adenocarcinoma and non-mucinous adenocarcinoma.Moderate-and low-differentiated carcinoma and high-differentiated carcinoma were respectively detected in 47 and 180 patients.(2) The influencing factors analysis of the number of lymph nodes harvest after radical resection of colorectal cancer:univariate analysis showed that tumor location and tumor pathological T stage were related factors affecting the number of lymph node harvest after radical resection of colorectal cancer (x2=10.066,P＜0.05).Multivariate analysis showed the tumor location and tumor pathological T stage were independent factors affecting the number of lymph nodes harvest after radical resection of colorectal caucer (OR=1.283,6.075,95％ confidence interval:1.031-1.597,1.215-30.385,P＜0.05).(3) Follow-up and survival situations:190 of the 227 patients were followed up for 4-72 months,with a median time of 32 months.During the follow-up,21 patients died,23 patients survived with tumor,and 146 patients survived without disease.Conclusion Tumor location and tumor pathological T stage are independent factors affecting the number of lymph node harvest after radical resection of colorectal cancer.
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Introduction: The number of lymph nodes (LNs) retrieved from a specimen of colorectal carcinoma may vary. Factors that can possibly affect LN yield are age of the patient, obesity, location of the tumor, neoadjuvant therapy, surgical technique and pathologist's handling of the specimen. Aim: The aim of our study is to look at lymph node retrieval from colorectal cancer (CRC) specimens in our hands and review the literature. Materials and Methods: From May 2010 to January 2011, a total of 170 colorectal carcinoma cases were operated in our institute. Type of the surgeries, lymph node yield was looked at. Results: There were 103 (60.6%) males and 67 (39.4%) females. The commonest age group was 50-59 years (30.6%). The surgeries included 107 surgeries for rectal carcinoma (63%) and 63 surgeries for colonic carcinoma (37%). Sixty six (38.8%) cases had received preoperative chemoradiotherapy, whereas 104 (61.2%) cases were without adjuvant therapy. The total lymph node positivity (metastatic disease) was 44.7% .The overall mean lymph node yield was 12.68 (range 0-63; median 11). The mean lymph node harvest in the age group < 39 was 15.76 whereas, the lymph node harvest in the group more than 39 years old was 11.90. ( statistically significant; P=0.03). The mean lymph node yield from specimens of rectal cancers (10.30) was lower than the mean lymph node yield from specimens for colonic cancers (16.71);( statistically significant, P<0.01). There was also statistically significant difference between the mean LN yield in chemoradionaiive cases (14.63) and in the cases where neoadjuvant therapy was received, (9.59); P<0.01. Conclusion: Pathologist while assessing a specimen of CRC should aim to retrieve a minimum of 12 LN. Surgical expertise and diligence of the pathologists remain two main alterable factors that can improve this yield. Neoadjuvant or preoperative radiotherapy can yield in less number of nodes.
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The American Joint Committee on Cancer presently recommends obtaining at least seven to 14 lymph nodes in radical colon and rectum resections. OBJECTIVES: 1.) To determine the number of lymph nodes recovered in our rectal cancer resection specimens, and 2.) to compare the number of our lymph node harvest with current international recommendations.METHODS: Records of patients who underwent resection for adenocarcinoma of the rectum from 2001 to 2002 were reviewed. From the final pathology report, the number of lymph nodes recovered per specimen was described. This was correlated with the depth of tumor penetration (T) and the intra-operative staging of nodal status (N) by the surgeon. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients underwent resection for adenocarcinoma of the rectum. Ages of patients ranged from 21 to 74 years, with a mean of 52 years. The lymph nodes recovered from the specimens ranged from zero to 15, with an average of 3.1 nodes per specimen. T4 tumors had the highest average rate of lymph node recovery at four nodes per specimen. In 16 patients, metastasis to regional lymph nodes were identified (16/47 or 34 percent node positive). The range of nodes recovered in node positive patients ranged from one to 15, with an average of six nodes. Thirty-one patients were node negative (31/47 or 66 percent). The average nodes recovered per specimen in this group was 1.8, ranging from zero to 12. SUMMARY: From our review, almost 90 percent of our reports did not meet the minimum standard of recovering at least seven lymph nodes in rectal cancer resection specimens. In 94 percent of node negative patients, no sound therapeutic plans could be made due to inadequate lymph node harvest.