Extent of lymphnode dissection in the resection of lung cancer / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To discuss the necessity of mediastinal lymph node dissection in the resection of lung cancer. Method 740 patients with lung cancer underwent lobectomy or pneumonectomy during Jan. 1987 to Dec. 2002 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Totally 3492 lymph nodes were removed and checked up pathologically. Result Lymph nodes with metastasic were confirmed in 362 out of the 740 cases, and the metastasis ratio was 48.9%, and among them in 276 patients suffered N_2 lesion, with the ratio of 37.3%. The statistic result showed that lymph node metastasis was correlated to the location, cell type, the size, T stage and differentiation of lung cancer. Conclusion Lymph node metastasis in lung cancer is common and related to multiple factors. In order to obtain radical cure, both mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes should be removed.