Lateral pelvic node dissection after neoadjuvant chemoradiation in rectal cancer with right internal iliac node metastasis but without regional node metastasis: A case report

Introduction and importanceTotal mesorectal excision (TME) with lateral pelvic node dissection was routinely done in low clinical T3 rectal tumors below the peritoneal reflection as stated in the Japanese guidelines for colorectal cancer. Our institution follows the same practice in selected patients. This is our first reported case wherein a patient with rectal cancer underwent total mesorectal excision with lateral lymphadenectomy after neoadjuvant treatment with a positive lateral node on histopathology.Case presentationA 49 year old female rectal had rectal adenocarcinoma 4 cm FAV. Pelvic MRI revealed a low rectal tumor abutting the mesorectal fascia anteriorly, anal sphincters not involved, and confluent enlarged right iliac nodes. After neoadjuvant treatment, interval decrease in size of the rectal lesion and the right iliac nodes were noted. Patient underwent partial intersphincteric resection, lateral pelvic node dissection and protective loop ileostomy.Clinical discussionHistopathology revealed a rectal adenocarcinoma with one right internal iliac lymph node was positive for tumor involvement. Circumferential resection margin was 4.0 mm. Patient is currently on 4th cycle of adjuvant chemotherapy. Preoperative chemoradiation could not completely eradicate lateral pelvic node metastasis. Therefore, lateral pelvic node dissection should be considered if lateral pelvic lymph node metastasis is suspected even after neoadjuvant therapy.ConclusionUnlike TME, performance of a routine lateral lymphadenectomy in rectal cancer surgery varies by geographic location. Reports from Asian countries and our practice in our institution shows that it can be performed safely. This could improve the oncologic outcomes of patients especially if combined with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.     

Advanced synchronous rectal and prostate cancers diagnosed by lateral lymph node dissection: A case report

IntroductionRectal and prostate cancers are common cancers occurring globally, and both can metastasize to the pelvic lateral lymph nodes (LLNs).Presentation of caseA 69-year-old man, presenting with blood in stool, was diagnosed with rectal cancer. Computed tomography revealed a 7-mm LLN in the right internal iliac artery region, leading to the suspicion of metastasis. The patient underwent laparoscopic low anterior resection and LLN dissection. Histopathological findings of the metastatic tissue in the LLN were different than that of rectal cancer, and endocrine tumor was suspected. Immunostaining performed based on high serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level revealed positivity for PSA and α-methylacyl-CoA racemase in the dissected LLN. Thus, he was diagnosed with synchronous rectal and prostate cancers and received hormonal therapy for stage IV prostate cancer, which led to a dramatic reduction in PSA level after three months. He was followed regularly and did not relapse or experienced disease progression for either cancer for approximately four years after the initial diagnosis.DiscussionFew studies reported synchronous rectal and prostate cancers, both of which can metastasize to pelvic LLNs. However, preoperative diagnosis of the primary cancer metastasizing to the LLNs is challenging. Treatment of synchronous rectal and prostate cancers requires a strategy to diagnose each tumor stage and corresponding degree of progression because lymph node metastases affect staging in both cancers.ConclusionLymph node dissection may be useful in determining progression and treatment plan in cases of concurrent rectal and prostate cancers with suspected LLN metastasis.     

中下段直肠癌盆腔侧方淋巴转移情况与转归

目的探讨中下段直肠癌盆腔侧方淋巴结转移(简称侧方转移)的规律和预后。方法对1990～2001年经根治性切除证实侧方转移的20例中下段直肠癌患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果85.0%(17/20)的患者为直肠系膜和/或根部淋巴转移加侧方转移,15.0%(3/20)的患者为单纯侧方转移。侧方转移率依次为闭孔动脉45.0%(9/20)、髂内动脉40.0%(8/20)、髂总动脉20.0%(4/20)、髂外动脉15.0%(3/20)和腹主动脉分叉淋巴结5.0%(1/20)。75.0%的患者发生术后远处转移或远处转移合并盆腔局部复发,其中83.3%发生于术后2年内。患者平均生存期21.6个月,术后3年、5年生存率分别为16.7%和0。结论中下段直肠癌侧方转移不仅是盆腔局部病变,还可能是属于全身病变的一部分,提示直肠癌远处转移发生的可能性。     

Survival benefit of lateral lymph node dissection according to the region of involvement and the number of lateral lymph nodes involved

Purpose

The effectiveness of lateral lymph node dissection for extending the survival of patients with advanced lower rectal cancer remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to clarify the survival benefit of lateral lymph node dissection according to the region of involvement and the number of lateral lymph nodes involved.

Methods

We reviewed 131 consecutive patients with advanced lower rectal cancer, who had undergone curative resection with total mesorectal excision plus extended lateral lymph node dissection at Wakayama Medical University Hospital. Twenty-six (19.1 %) of these patients had lateral lymph involvement. We performed univariate and multivariate analyses for the 3-year disease-free and overall survival of these patients.

Results

Multivariate analysis revealed that the number (>1) and the region (common iliac artery region or external iliac artery region) of lateral lymph node metastasis are independent predictive factors for recurrence and survival. The Kaplan–Meier analysis demonstrated that patients with one lymph node metastasis in the internal iliac artery or obturator region had better survival.

Conclusions

Lateral lymph node dissection resulted in survival benefit for patients with single lateral lymph node involvement in the internal iliac artery region or the obturator region.     

Anatomic Extent of Pelvic Lymphadenectomy in Bladder Cancer

ContextThe rationale for locoregional staging lymphadenectomy in bladder cancer lies in the accurate diagnosis of occult micrometastases to stratify patients who might benefit from adjuvant therapeutic measures. In bladder cancer, pelvic lymphadenectomy (PLA) as a common procedure of radical cystectomy has not been standardized, although evidence supports a relationship between the extent of lymph node dissection and therapeutic outcome.Evidence acquisitionRecent retrospective and prospective clinical trials have carefully analyzed the distribution of lymph node metastases at time of radical cystectomy, thereby identifying those regions that should be included in a standard pelvic lymph node dissection.Evidence synthesisDissecting all lymphatic tissue along the common iliac region—with the aortic bifurcation as cranial margin—along the external, internal iliac region, and the obturator fossae bilaterally will completely clear 80% of all positive nodes. Only if frozen section examination will demonstrate micrometastases at these regions will extending lymphadenectomy further cranially be worthwhile.ConclusionsCurrently, extended PLA in bladder cancer has been shown to improve progression-free survival if >14 lymph nodes are removed. For the future, prospective trials have to demonstrate a benefit with regard to cancer-specific and overall survival and in terms of regional versus distant recurrences.     

正电子发射型断层显像在结直肠癌肝转移诊断中的应用

目的 评价正电子发射型断层显像(PET)在结直肠癌术后肝转移诊断中的作用。方法 对18例怀疑结直肠癌术后肝转移的患者和3例怀疑其他疾病的患者进行PET检查，通过与CT比较及手术探查，评价PET在结直肠癌肝转移诊断中的作用。结果 怀疑术后肝转移的18例患者，经PET显像确诊17例，其中14例同时伴有肝脏以外的其他脏器转移(肺转移2例、腹壁转移2例、骨转移1例、腹腔淋巴结转移6例、纵隔淋巴结转移2例、锁骨上淋巴结转移1例)；PET诊断阴性的1例患者，随访1年后仍无瘤存活。3例怀疑其他疾病的患者经PET检查发现有结肠癌伴肝转移。结论 与CT相比，PET对结直肠癌术后肝脏及其他部位转移的敏感度更高，对术后肝转移患者是否选择再次手术具有更好的指导意义。     

Metachronous mediastinal lymph node metastasis from ascending colon cancer: A case report and literature review

IntroductionMetachronous mediastinal lymph node metastasis without pulmonary metastasis is extremely rare in colorectal cancer, which makes the clinical diagnosis difficult and treatment strategy unclear.Prsentation of caseA case was a 59-year-old man, who had undergone right hemicolectomy for ascending colon cancer 2 years and 8 months previously, presented with enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes. ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography revealed FDG was accumulated only into the mediastinal lymph nodes. Serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level was within the normal range. Six months later, the size and FDG uptake of the mediastinal lymph nodes had increased. We assumed a possibility that the mediastinal lymph nodes were metastasized from ascending colon cancer and so performed thoracoscopic-assisted resection of the mediastinal lymph nodes. Histopathological analysis revealed the resected lymph nodes were filled with moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma and a diagnosis of mediastinal lymph nodes metastasis from previously-resected ascending colon cancer was made. The patient was postoperatively followed for more than 1 year and 8 months without any sign of recurrence.DiscussionOnly 7 cases of metachronous mediastinal lymph node metastasis from colorectal cancer, including our case, have been reported in the English literature. It is difficult to clinically diagnose mediastinal lymph node metastasis.ConclusionWe report a rare case of metachronous mediastinal lymph node metastasis from ascending colon cancer with literature review. If the mediastinal lymph nodes are enlarged after colorectal cancer resection, we need to make a treatment strategy as well as a diagnostic approach considering the possibility of mediastinal lymph node metastasis.     

Lymph Node Size and Metastatic Infiltration in Colon Cancer

Background: Detection of metastatic lymph nodes in colon cancer is essential for determining stage and adjuvant treatment modalities. Lymph node size has been used as one possible criterion for nodal metastasis. Although enlarged regional lymph nodes are generally interpreted as metastases, few data are available that correlate lymph node size with metastatic infiltration in colon cancer.Methods: In a prospective morphometric study, the regional lymph nodes from 30 colon specimens from consecutive patients with primary colon cancer were analyzed. The lymph nodes were counted and the largest diameter of each lymph node was measured and analyzed for metastatic involvement by histological examination.Results: A total of 698 lymph nodes were present in the 30 specimens examined for this study. A mean number of 23 (range, 19–39) lymph nodes was found in each specimen. Of these nodes, 566 (81%) were tumor-free and 132 (19%) contained metastases. The mean diameter of the lymph nodes free of metastases was 3.9 mm, whereas those infiltrated by metastases averaged 5.9 mm in diameter (P< 0.0001). Of the tumor-free lymph nodes, 528 (93%) measured < 5 mm in diameter, whereas 70 (53%) lymph nodes containing metastases measured < 5 mm in diameter.Conclusions: Lymph node size is not a reliable indicator for lymph node metastasis in colon cancer. A careful histological search for small lymph node metastasis in the specimen should be undertaken to avoid false-negative node staging.     

Oncological issues in staging mediastinal lymph node metastasis for left lung cancer

ObjectiveWe aimed to discuss the underlying oncological issues in staging of mediastinal lymph node metastasis in patients with left lung cancer who underwent extended radical lymphadenectomy (ERL).MethodsThis multi-institutional retrospective study analyzed 116 patients with left non-small-cell lung cancer who underwent bilateral paratracheal lymph node dissection (ERL) via median sternotomy. The clinicopathological records of patients with mediastinal lymph node metastasis were examined for prognostic factors, including age, sex, histology, tumor size, cN number, preoperative data, metastatic stations (number and distribution), pT, and adjuvant chemotherapy.ResultsMediastinal lymph node metastases were found in 43 patients, and right paratracheal lymph node metastases (pN3) were found in 13 patients. The 5-year overall survival rate was 25.2% in patients with pN3 tumors (n = 13) and 23.1% in patients with pN2 tumors (n = 30). The prognosis did not differ between patients with pN3 and pN2. Univariate analyses showed that histology, cN, and adjuvant chemotherapy were significant prognostic factors in patients with mediastinal lymph node metastasis. In these 43 patients, cN and adjuvant chemotherapy were significant independent prognostic factors in multivariate analysis.ConclusionsThe prognostic factors for left lung cancer with mediastinal lymph node metastasis were cN status and adjuvant chemotherapy, and not pN status (pN2 or pN3). We hope that the study results, which suggest that there may be no difference in prognosis between pN2 and pN3, would broaden the discussion of oncological issues in the staging of mediastinal lymph node metastasis of left lung cancer.     

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目的 探讨中下段直肠癌侧方淋巴结转移规律及影响因素。方法 对1995－2000年行侧方淋巴结清扫的105例直肠癌病人进行回顾性分析。结果 中下段直肠癌侧方转移率为21％，肿瘤的大小、部位、病理分型、分化程度及浸润深度是影响侧方转移的重要因素。在侧方淋巴结转移阳性病人中，单纯闭孔及髂内淋巴结转移阳性病人占54．5％，单纯髂外及髂总淋巴结转移阳性病人为18．1％。侧方淋巴结转移阴性病人术后局部复发率为6．7％，阳性病人为36．3％。行侧方清扫局部复发率较传统术式由17．6％降至11．4％。侧方转移阴性病人平均生存期为88个月，阳性病人为37个月，二者差异有显著性。结论 侧方淋巴转移是中下段直肠癌淋巴转移的重要途径。闭孔和髂内淋巴结是侧方淋巴结清扫中需要着重清扫的部位。侧方淋巴清扫较传统术式可明显降低局部复发率。     

Obstructive jaundice caused by lymphatic remetastasis from the hepatic metastasis of rectosigmoid cancer

The significant benefit of performing hepatic resection for hepatic metastases from colorectal primary cancers is well established; however, the effectiveness of dissection of the lymph nodes draining the liver remains uncertain. Herein, we report the case of a 52-year-old man who was found to have obstructive jaundice caused by lymphatic remetastasis from the hepatic metastasis of primary rectosigmoid cancer. He had previously undergone a high anterior resection for the rectosigmoid cancer, in April 1990, and a hepatic resection for metastasis was done in March 1994. When the hepatic resection was carried out, dissection of the regional lymph nodes of the liver (i.e., the nodes in the hepatoduodenal ligament) was not performed because no obvious metastatic nodes were identified. Three years after the hepatic resection, enlarged lymph nodes compressing the extrahepatic bile duct from outside were identified by cholangiography and computed tomography (CT). Because radiological studies were unable to determine the lesion capable of metastasizing to these nodes, they were diagnosed as remetastasized lymph nodes from the hepatic metastasis that had been resected 3 years earlier. The lymphatic remetastases were intractable to treatment, and the patient finally died of hepatic failure and malignant cachexia. This case serves to demonstrate that lymphatic dissection of the regional lymph nodes may need to be taken into consideration when resection of hepatic metastases from colorectal cancers is performed. Received: October 30, 2000 / Accepted: March 12, 2001     

直径≤3cm的周围型非小细胞肺癌纵隔淋巴结转移规律的初步研究

目的探讨直径≤3cm的周围型非小细胞肺癌(non-small cell lung cancer,NSCLC)纵隔淋巴结转移的情况,分析早期周围型NSCLC纵隔淋巴结转移的规律。方法 2000年1月1日～2008年12月31日治疗直径≤3cm的周围型NSCLC161例,男89例,女72例,年龄(63.4±10.7)岁,行肺叶切除或肺局限性切除加系统性纵隔淋巴结清扫术,分析其临床特征、病理特点及纵隔淋巴结转移规律。结果全组手术顺利,无死亡及严重并发症发生。肺叶切除153例,肺楔形切除7例,肺段切除1例。全组共清扫淋巴结2456枚,平均每例4.5±1.6组、13.1±7.3枚。术后病理:腺癌99例,鳞癌30例,肺泡细胞癌19例,其他类型肺癌13例。术后TNM分期:ⅠA期50例,ⅠB期62例,ⅡA期6例,ⅡB期10例,ⅢA期33例。N1组淋巴结转移率为23.6%(38/161),N2组转移率为20.5%(33/161),其中隆突下淋巴结转移率为8.1%(13/161),跳跃式纵隔转移率为6.8%(11/161),全组未发现下纵隔淋巴结转移。肺泡细胞癌及直径≤2cm的鳞癌、直径≤1cm的腺癌均无pN2转移。上肺癌发生pN2转移时上纵隔100%(19/19)受累,其中21.1%(4/19)同时伴有隆突下淋巴结转移;下肺癌则除主要转移至隆突下外(64.3%,9/14),还常直接单独转移至上纵隔(35.7%,5/14)。转移的纵隔淋巴结左肺癌主要分布在第5、6、7组,右肺癌主要分布在第3、4、7组。结论对于直径≤3cm的周围型NSCLC,肿瘤直径越大,其纵隔淋巴结转移率越高,肺泡细胞癌、直径≤2cm的鳞癌和≤1cm的腺癌其纵隔淋巴结转移率相对较低;上肺癌主要转移在上纵隔,下肺癌则隆突下及上纵隔均可转移;第5、6、7组淋巴结是左肺癌主要转移的位置,第3、4、7组是右肺癌主要转移的位置,术中应重点清扫。     

Thyroid gland metastasis arising from primary liver cholangiocarcinoma: The first case report involving surgical operation

IntroductionA primary cancer causing thyroid metastasis is extremely rare. In western countries, the most common primary tumors causing thyroid metastases include kidney, lung, breast, and gastrointestinal cancers. In contrast, breast is the most common primary site, followed by kidney, colon, and lung cancers in Korea. To the best of our knowledge, surgically confirmed thyroid metastasis from cholangiocarcinoma has not been reported. Herein, we report the first case of thyroid metastasis secondary to cholangiocarcinoma on which surgery was performed.Presentation of caseA 55-year-old man was diagnosed with hepatic malignancy in December 2008. He subsequently received 2 cycles of transarterial chemoembolization and 4 cycles of radio-frequency ablation between 2008 and 2010. At follow-up in January 2011, brain metastasis was identified in the right parietal area secondary to cholangiocarcinoma. In April 2011, the patient was found to have palpable masses on the left thyroid and lateral neck. The patient subsequently underwent total thyroidectomy followed by left radical neck dissection. Intraoperatively, an ill-defined mass measuring 6.0 cm was found infiltrating the subcutaneous tissue into the prevertebral fascia. Microscopic and immunohistochemical findings confirmed that the thyroid masses and lymph nodes were metastatic cholangiocarcinoma.DiscussionPositive immunohistochemical staining for cytokeratin 7, cytokeratin 19, and AFP and negative results for TG, TTF-1, and cytokeratin 20 can be definitely helpful in arriving at a correct diagnosis.ConclusionTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report on surgically resected thyroid and lateral neck metastases secondary to cholangiocarcinoma.     

The Impact of Lymphadenectomy and Lymph Node Metastasis on the Outcomes of Radical Cystectomy for Bladder Cancer

Context

The presence of lymph node metastases and the extent of lymphadenectomy have both been shown to influence the outcome of patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Objective

Current standards for detection of lymph node metastases, lymph-node mapping studies, histopathologic techniques, and risk factors in relation to lymph node involvement are discussed. The impact of lymph node metastases and the extent of lymphadenectomy on the outcome of patients treated with radical cystectomy are analyzed.

Evidence acquisition

A systematic literature review of bladder cancer and lymph nodes was performed searching the electronic databases Pubmed/Medline, Cochrane, and Embase. Articles were selected based on title, abstract, study format, and content by a consensus of all participating authors.

Evidence synthesis

Lymph node status is highly consequential in bladder cancer patients because the presence of lymph node metastases is predictive of poor outcome. Knowledge of primary landing sites of lymph node metastases is important for optimum therapeutic management. Accurate pathologic work-ups of resected lymph node tissue are mandatory. Molecular markers could potentially guide therapeutic decisions in the future because they may enable the detection of micrometastatic disease. In current series, radical cystectomy with an extended lymphadenectomy seems to provide a clinically meaningful therapeutic benefit compared with a limited approach. However, the anatomic boundaries of lymph node dissection are still under debate. Therefore, large prospective multicenter trials are needed to validate the influence of extended lymph node dissection on disease-specific survival.

Conclusions

An extended pelvic lymph node dissection (encompassing the external iliac vessels, the obturator fossa, the lateral and medial aspects of the internal iliac vessels, and at least the distal half of the common iliac vessels together with its bifurcation) can be curative in patients with metastasis or micrometastasis to a few nodes. Therefore, the procedure may be offered to all patients undergoing radical cystectomy for invasive bladder cancer.     

Surgical Management of Mesenteric Lymph Node Metastasis in Patients Undergoing Rectosigmoid Colectomy for Locally Advanced Ovarian Carcinoma

Background We sought to determine the incidence of mesenteric lymph node metastases in patients undergoing rectosigmoid resection for epithelial ovarian carcinoma and to evaluate the potential contribution of sigmoid mesocolectomy toward achieving complete surgical cytoreduction. Methods Pathology results for patients undergoing rectosigmoid colectomy for epithelial ovarian carcinoma from August 1998 through September 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. Fifty-three patients with pathological documentation of mesenteric lymph nodes were selected for further review. A focused analysis was performed on cases with an adequate surgical sampling of mesenteric lymph nodes (more than one positive or five total mesenteric lymph nodes) to determine the overall incidence of nodal metastases. χ² analysis was used to identify clinicopathologic factors associated with mesenteric lymphatic spread. Results A total of 39 (73.6%) of 53 patients had an adequate mesenteric resection suitable for nodal analysis. In this subgroup, 32 (82.1%) of 39 patients had one or more mesenteric lymph nodes containing metastatic ovarian carcinoma. Invasion beyond the serosa of the rectosigmoid colon was present in 31 (79.5%) of 39 of cases; however, increasing depth of invasion was not associated with risk of mesenteric nodal disease. In addition to bowel wall involvement, the only clinical factor that correlated with mesenteric lymph node involvement was concurrent tumor spread to retroperitoneal lymph nodes (P = .025). Conclusions Locally advanced ovarian carcinoma involving the rectosigmoid colon is associated with a high incidence of mesenteric nodal metastasis. Standard surgical technique should include a sigmoid mesocolectomy with resection of the associated lymphatic tributaries at the time of rectosigmoid colectomy if the surgical objective is complete cytoreduction of occult nodal disease.     

膀胱癌盆腔淋巴结转移的规律及影响因素分析

目的通过分析膀胱尿路上皮癌淋巴结转移的规律及其相关影响因素,结合盆腔淋巴清扫的研究进展,探讨盆腔淋巴清扫策略。 方法收集我院2008年至2016年由同一术者完成腹腔镜根治性膀胱切除和盆腔淋巴清扫的膀胱尿路上皮癌患者的资料,回顾性分析淋巴结转移的规律及其相关影响因素。 结果共收集患者285例,69例（24.2%）发生淋巴结转移。最常见的淋巴结转移部位为髂内/闭孔淋巴结（57/69,82.6%）,其次是髂外淋巴结（37/69,53.6%）;真骨盆外淋巴结转移均伴随髂内/闭孔或髂外淋巴结转移;单侧壁膀胱癌可以向对侧盆腔淋巴结转移。T1组淋巴结转移率4.6%（4/87）,T2组18.0%（18/100）;T3组50.8%（30/59）;T4组68.0%（17/25）。多因素回归分析显示淋巴结转移与肿瘤分期呈正相关,与分级、年龄、性别、体质量指数、吸烟等因素无关。 结论髂内/闭孔和髂外淋巴结是膀胱癌最主要的淋巴结转移部位,肿瘤高分期是影响膀胱癌淋巴结转移的主要因素。根治性膀胱切除术应行至少包括双侧髂内、闭孔、髂外淋巴结的标准淋巴清扫。     

Correlations of neck ultrasound and pathology in cervical lymph node of papillary thyroid carcinoma

Abstract

Background: High-resolution sonography is becoming a method of choice for the detection and diagnosis of cervical lymph node metastasis in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). The purpose of this study is to assess the diagnostic accuracy of neck ultrasound (US) in the detection of lymph node metastases from PTC.

Methods: Data for all patients with papillary thyroid cancers and preoperative neck US were reviewed retrospectively. The diagnostic accuracy of US was determined according to whether histologically confirmed cancer was present in surgical cervical lymph node specimens.

Results: A total of 206 patients (149 central and 57 central and lateral lymph nodes dissection) were included. Their mean age was 56 years (14–88 years). Central and lateral lymph nodes were involved in 68% (n?=?141 patients; 141/206) and 60% (n?=?34 patients; 34/57) of cases, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of US in predicting papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) metastasis in the central neck were 69%, 71%, 84% and 51% respectively, and in the lateral neck were 85%, 65%, 78% and 75% respectively.

Conclusions: Preoperative neck US is a valuable tool in the detection of cervical lymph node metastases from papillary thyroid cancer and can provide reliable information to assist in surgical management.     

Anatomical Basis for Pelvic Lymphadenectomy in Prostate Cancer: Results of an Autopsy Study and Implications for the Clinic

Purpose

Pelvic lymphadenectomy remains the most reliable method to prove lymph node metastases in prostate cancer. However, evaluation of lymphadenectomy to be complete and sufficient as judged by the number of removed lymph nodes is hampered by the fact that, in contrast to other malignancies (for example breast or gastric cancer), anatomical studies investigating the regular and average number of pelvic lymph nodes are missing. We established an anatomically based standard for pelvic lymphadenectomy.

Materials and Methods

Standard pelvic lymphadenectomy was performed on 30 human cadavers and 59 consecutive patients with clinically organ confined prostate cancer during radical retropubic prostatectomy. Number, size and topography of the lymph nodes were noted separately for each anatomical region of both iliac fossas.

Results

The mean number of lymph nodes removed in the autopsy series plus or minus standard deviation (22.7 plus/minus 10.2, range 8 to 56) was nearly identical to that from patients with prostate cancer (20.5 plus/minus 6.6, range 10 to 37) but striking interindividual differences were observed. Patients with prostate cancer demonstrated enlarged nodes regardless of whether they did or did not contain tumor. Interestingly, pelvic lymph node metastases were more common on the left side regardless of the primary tumor site.

Conclusions

Approximately 20 pelvic lymph nodes may serve as a guideline for a sufficient standard pelvic lymph node dissection. Lymphadenopathy in prostate cancer patients is not always a result of metastases but, rather, hyperplastic or regressive alterations. A preferential distribution of lymph node metastases along the left iliac vessels regardless of the primary tumor site in the prostate warrants further investigation.     

盆腔侧方淋巴结转移对低位直肠癌预后的影响

目的 探讨盆腔侧方淋巴结转移对低位直肠癌预后的影响.方法 对1994年至2005年行根治性切除联合盆腔侧方淋巴结清扫的176例低位直肠癌患者的资料进行回顾性分析.探讨低位直肠癌患者盆腔侧方淋巴结转移对其预后的影响.结果 全组盆腔侧方淋巴结转移33例(18.8%),其中髂内及直肠中动脉根部淋巴结转移占51.5%,闭孔淋巴结转移占39.4%.年龄≤40岁、浸润型癌、T3-4期、上方淋巴结转移患者的盆腔侧方淋巴结转移率较高(P＜0.05).全组5年生存率为64.1%,TNM分期Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ期患者5年生存率分别为94.1%、79.1%、42.1%.癌灶大小、浸润深度、上方淋巴结转移、盆腔侧方淋巴结转移是影响低位直肠癌患者预后的重要因素(P＜0.05).盆腔侧方淋巴结阴性患者5年生存率为73.6%,而侧方淋巴结转移患者为21.4%,两组差异具有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 盆腔侧方淋巴结转移是影响低位直肠癌预后的重要因素.     

肺癌跳跃式纵隔淋巴结转移的临床病理探讨

目的　探索肺癌跳跃式纵隔淋巴结转移的病理特点 ,为合理施行淋巴结清除术提供可靠的理论依据。方法　 1992年 10月至 1998年 6月 ,为 398例肺癌病人施行了根治性肺切除、规范淋巴结清除术 ,对其中 4 7例 ( 2 9 4 % )跳跃式纵隔转移淋巴结病例进行病理学研究。结果　各型或各叶肺癌中 ,跳跃式转移淋巴结分布最密集的部位依次是第 7、4、3、5组淋巴结 ,分别占 2 9 8%、2 4 5 %、14 9%与10 6 % ;就鳞癌与腺癌而言 ,肿瘤长径在 1cm以内者均无跳跃式淋巴结转移 ,跳跃式淋巴结转移率随长径增加而增加 ;低分化腺癌淋巴结转移率明显高于高分化者 (P <0 0 1) ;发生跳跃式淋巴结转移的肿瘤平均长径鳞癌与腺癌分别为 15 3mm与 9 1mm。结论　对肺癌淋巴结的廓清 ,切勿仅凭手触摸或靠肉眼观察淋巴结大小而盲目判定其是否转移或清除。除T1 中肿瘤长径 <1cm的鳞癌外 ,淋巴结的规范清除应重视其跳跃性 ,原则上必须包括同侧胸腔的肺门及上、下纵隔各组淋巴结 ,尤其要重视跳跃式淋巴结转移分布较密集区域 ,即右侧的第 3、4、7组与左侧的第 4、5、7组淋巴结