The prognostic value of lateral lymphadenectomy for advanced lower rectal cancer / 中华普通外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the prognostic value of lateral lymphadenectomy for advanced lower rectal cancer. Methods A total of 96 consecutive patients who underwent total mesorectal excision and lateral lymphadenectomy for advanced lower rectal cancer were retrospectively evaluated by using therapeutic index. A product of the frequency of lymph node metastasis and the cancer-related 5-year survival rate. Results The incidences of lymph node metastasis in mesorectal area, superior rectal artery area, inferior mesenteric artery area and lateral area was 21%,13%.10%and 15%respectively.The 5-year survival rate of patients with metastasis to the mesorectal area, superior rectal artery area, inferior mesenteric artery area and lateral area was 35%,25%,20%and 36%respectively.The therapeutic indexes for total mesorectal excision and lateral lymphadenectomy were 7.4 and 5.4,which were much higher than that of lymphadenectomy of the superior rectal artery area(3.3)and inferior mesenteric artery area(2.0).Local recurrence occurred in 19%(18 out of 96 cases)patients with advanced lower rectal cancer. Local recurrence rate of patients with positive lateral lymph node metastasis was 64%(9 of 14 cases),whereas it was 11%(9 of 82 cases)in those without lateral lymph node metastasis. The difference between these two groups was statistically significant(x2=22.308,P=0.000).Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed significant improvements in median survival(80.9±2.1)m,95%CI76.7～85.1 m vs(38±6.7)m,(95%CI24.8～51.2 m)for patients with negative lateral lymph node metastasis over patients with lateral lymph node metastasis(log-rank,P=0.000). Conclusion The current results indicate that lateral pelvic lymphadenectomy could significantly reduce loeal recurrence and effectively improve the survival of patients with advanced lower rectal cancer. Except for total mesorectal excision, lateral pelvic lymphadenectomy should be followed in the surgery of pailents with advanced low rectal cancer.