RESUMO
Lateral lymph node metastasis represents a major cause of local pelvic recurrence after curative resection for mid-low rectal cancer. Considerable controversies over issues remain among eastern and western countries, with respect to the diagnosis of lateral lymph node metastasis, the multidisciplinary management regime, indication for lateral pelvic lymph node dissection, and the prognosis of surgical dissection. The purpose of this expert consensus is to improve the understanding of this condition among Chinese specialists, and to help standardizing the diagnosis and therapeutic strategies for lateral lymph node metastasis. Each statement and recommendation in this consensus were generated based on suggestions from at least three experts, agreed by a majority of experts from the Chinese expert panel. The evaluation criteria by U.S. Preventive Services Task Force was adopted for the grading of recommendations. In respect to the aforementioned controversies, the present consensus produced 21 statements on diagnosis and treatment for lateral lymph node metastasis. The pending issues in this consensus need further high-quality clinical practice and research.