Morphological characteristics of lateral pelvic lymph nodes in rectal carcinoma

Aim Macroscopic and imaging indicators for lymph node metastasis have been documented not in lateral pelvic lymph nodes but in mesorectal lymph nodes in patients with rectal carcinoma. We conducted this study to uncover morphological characteristics of lateral pelvic lymph nodes in patients with rectal carcinoma. Materials and methods Fifty-eight patients with locally advanced rectal carcinoma who had total mesorectal excision and lateral pelvic lymph node dissection were studied. Total number of lateral pelvic lymph nodes evaluated was 462, with 538 mesorectal lymph nodes being used for comparison. Factors of lymph nodes evaluated were size (long- and short-axes diameters), shape (ovoid and irregular), and heterogeneity of internal structure. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to compare the diagnostic accuracy of each factor. Results Lateral pelvic lymph node at non-metastatic status appeared to be longer (4.5 vs 3.5 mm) and thinner (2.2 vs 2.6 mm) than mesorectal lymph nodes. ROC curve analysis, for discriminating non-metastatic and metastatic lateral pelvic lymph nodes, revealed that a short-axis diameter appeared to be the most prominent factor with highest area under curve (0.907) and was more reliable than either long-axis diameter (0.811) or shape (0.527) other than internal structure (1.00). A short-axis diameter was an independent risk factor for metastasis by multivariate analysis with an odds ratio of 1.29 (p < 0.0001, 95% confident interval, 1.22–1.36). The most reliable cut-off value was 4 mm with 96% of sensitivity, 68% of specificity, and 82% of overall accuracy. Conclusion Lateral pelvic lymph nodes tended to be longer and thinner than mesorectal lymph nodes at non-metastatic status. A short-axis diameter of 4 mm or larger was the prominent indicator of metastasis in lateral pelvic lymph nodes.     

Obesity does not increase the risk of lymph node metastases in patients with clinically localized prostate cancer undergoing radical prostatectomy and extended pelvic lymph node dissection

Objectives: Several studies have shown that obesity is associated with more aggressive prostate cancer (PCa) variants. We hypothesized that obesity, quantified as body mass index (BMI), is associated with a higher risk of lymph node invasion (LNI) in patients undergoing extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND). Methods: Clinical and pathological data were available for 994 consecutive men with PCa treated with radical prostatectomy (RP) and ePLND at a single European tertiary academic centre. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses addressed the rate of LNI. Covariates consisted of pre‐treatment prostate specific antigen (PSA), biopsy Gleason sum, clinical stage history of diabetes mellitus as well as BMI coded as either continuous or categorized (<25, 25.0–29.9, 30 kg/m² or more) variable. Predictive accuracy was assessed with area under curve estimates. Results: Overall LNI was diagnosed in 105 patients (10.6%). Mean number of removed lymph nodes was 18.3 (range 7–60). Of all 994 patients, 372 (37.4%) were normal weight, 518 (52.1%) overweight, and 104 (10.5%) were clinically obese. Prevalence of LNI did not significantly differ across different BMI categories (<25, 25.0–29.9 and 30 kg/m² or more; 9.9, 10.6 and 12.5%, respectively; P = 0.75). In logistic regression models, neither continuously coded nor categorized BMI was a significant predictor of LNI at univariable or multivariable analyses (all P‐values ≥0.1). Moreover, inclusion of BMI with PSA, clinical stage, biopsy Gleason sum and presence of DM did not increase the ability of these variables to predict LNI (82.2% without BMI vs 82.5% and 82.9% with BMI coded as continuous and categorized variable, respectively; all P ≥ 0.4). Conclusions: In men undergoing RP and ePLND, increased BMI was not associated with increased risk of lymph node metastases. Therefore, routinely considering patient BMI in risk stratification schemes or prognostic LNI models may not be warranted.     

Nodal counts during pelvic lymph node dissection for prostate cancer: an objective indicator of quality under the influence of very subjective factors

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4 What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? In lymph node dissections for cancer, the more extended the dissection, the higher the number of lymph nodes removed. In addition, the higher the number of nodes retrieved, the better the staging. This leads many investigators to set a threshold of a minimal number of nodes below which the dissection is considered inadequate. Although the minimal threshold concept is generally good, it is not based on very objective data. a number of factors might influence the final number of nodes removed: (i) the surgeon and the surgical technique; (ii) the pathologists and tissue processing technique; (iii) the patient; and (iv) the audit effect and feedback to the surgeons about the number of nodes removed.

OBJECTIVE

• ? To examine the number of lymph nodes removed over time for men undergoing a standard pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) during radical prostatectomy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

• ? In total, 2119 consecutive patients with clinically localized prostate cancer were scheduled for non‐salvage radical prostatectomy between February 2005 and September 2009.
• ? All patients underwent PLND, including the external iliac, hypogastric and obturator fossa nodal groups.
• ? We tested whether the number of lymph nodes increased over time by including the date of each patient's surgery into a linear regression model using nonlinear terms.

RESULTS

• ? From 2008 onward, there appears to be a large increase in the number of nodes removed.
• ? Date of surgery was a significant predictor of the number of nodes removed (P < 0.001).
• ? The anatomical template of dissection, the specimen submission and pathological assessment were reportedly unchanged.
• ? The nodal yield increase in the later part of the study coincides with an increase in the academic interest in PLND and nodal metastasis in prostate cancer at the institutional level and worldwide.

CONCLUSIONS

• ? Without any intentional change in surgical technique or pathological processing, the number of lymph nodes removed in our radical prostatectomy experience increased.
• ? This change coincided with an increased academic interest in the subject and highlights the positive feedback effect.
• ? The change also raises concerns about unaccounted for confounding factors that could affect multi‐institutional datasets and surgical clinical trials.

     

MINI-LAPAROTOMY STAGING PELVIC LYMPH NODE DISSECTION FOR LOCALIZED PROSTATE CANCER

We report our early experience with mini-laparotomy staging pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) for clinically localized prostate cancer. We have used virtually the same original technique described by Steiner and Marshall. A 5 cm lower midline abdominal incision provides excellent exposure, allowing complete PLND under direct visualization. If radical retropubic prostatectomy is indicated by the state of the pelvic lymph nodes, this can be performed only by extending the same incision. Nine patients with histologically proven prostate cancer underwent mini-laparotomy staging PLND. The average intraoperative time for mini-laparotomy PLND was 33 minutes (range, 25–50 minutes). The intraoperative blood loss was 44 ml (range, 20–90 ml). The mean number of pelvic lymph nodes removed was 6.9 (range, 5–10 nodes) on the right and 10.8 (range, 8–21 nodes) on the left. Eight patients underwent immediate radical retropubic prostatectomy and one had radiation therapy. There were no complications directly related to the mini-laparotomy staging PLND. Mini-laparotomy staging PLND is an attractive alternative to laparoscopic PLND, especially for patients at low risk of lymph node metastasis.     

Impact of lateral pelvic lymph node dissection on evacuatory and urinary functions following low anterior resection for advanced rectal carcinoma

Background and aim Lateral pelvic lymph node dissection (LPLD) has been reported to be beneficial in terms of survival for locally advanced low rectal carcinoma. However, the impact of LPLD on bowel function has not yet been determined by means of anorectal physiologic investigation.Patients and methods Fifty-seven rectal cancer patients who underwent low anterior resection were evaluated with clinical and physiologic parameters. Of these, 15 patients had LPLD. The postoperative bowel and urinary function were evaluated with patients questionnaire and anorectal manometry before and after the operation.Results The proportion of patients who had pouch reconstruction, adjuvant radiation therapy, and autonomic nerve dissection were significantly higher in the LPLD group. The incidence of evacuatory dysfunction was significantly higher (80% vs 45%) postoperatively in the LPLD group. There was no significant difference in anal sphincter pressures, sensory threshold, and neorectal volumes between the groups postoperatively. In terms of urinary function, use of medication for urination was significantly frequent in the LPLD group. Multivariate analysis identified the level of anastomosis as an independent affecting factor for evacuatory dysfunction and LPLD for urinary dysfunction.Conclusion Although LPLD affected urinary dysfunction, it did not impair postoperative evacuatory function in the early postoperative period.     

根治性膀胱切除术中扩大淋巴结清扫术不可滥用

根治性膀胱全切+尿流改道术是目前肌层浸润性膀胱肿瘤的首选治疗,盆腔淋巴结清扫术是其中的必要步骤,其对进行肿瘤准确分期、判断患者预后、提高患者的生存率至关重要,而是否所有膀胱癌患者都应该行扩大淋巴结清扫术学界尚无定论。在此,作者结合文献报道和临床诊治体会,就根治性膀胱切除术中扩大淋巴结清扫术的意义与适应征作一简要探讨。     

Lateral pelvic lymph node dissection for low rectal cancers: A review on current practice

The management of rectal cancer with lateral lymph node involvement is distinctly different between Japan and Western countries. In Japan, total mesorectal excision (TME) surgery followed by autonomic nerve‐preserving lateral pelvic lymph node dissection (LPND) is the standard surgical treatment, whereas in Western countries, patients are subjected to neoadjuvant cheomoradiotherapy followed by TME surgery. The present study aims to explore the current practice and role of LPND in rectal cancer.     

EXTENDING THE INDICATIONS AND ANATOMICAL LIMITS OF PELVIC LYMPH NODE DISSECTION FOR PROSTATE CANCER: IMPROVED STAGING OR INCREASED MORBIDITY?

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4

OBJECTIVE

• ? To assess, in a risk/benefit analysis, the additional risk for complications and benefits of extending the indications and anatomical limits of pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

• ? In total, 971 consecutive patients with clinically localized prostate cancer underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy from 2003–2007.
• ? Before 1 February 2005, patients with a nomogram probability of lymph node invasion (LNI) <2% did not undergo PLND (No PLND group), whereas those with a LNI ≥2% had a PLND limited to the external iliac nodal group (limited PLND group).
• ? After 1 February 2005, all patients underwent a standard PLND including the external iliac, hypogastric and obturator fossa nodal groups (standard PLND group).
• ? The risk parameters were PLND‐related complications and operating time. Complications were graded using a modified Clavien classification. The benefit was the detection of nodal metastases.

RESULTS

• ? In the subgroup of patients with a LNI ≥2%, standard PLND was a superior operation than the limited PLND in detecting nodal metastases (14.3% vs 4.5%, respectively; P = 0.003).
• ? The risk/benefit of standard vs limited PLND would be one additional grade 3 complication per 20 additional patients with nodal metastases. In the subgroup of patients with LNI <2%, three patients (1.0%) had positive nodes after a standard PLND.
• ? The risk/benefit of standard PLND vs no PLND would be one additional grade 3 complication per three or four additional patients with nodal metastasis. The no PLND group was associated with the lowest risk of grade 1, 2 and 3 complications compared to either the limited or standard PLND groups (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

• ? In patients with LNI ≥2%, standard PLND detects more nodal metastasis. PLND is associated with higher but non‐prohibitive complications rate.
• ? The present study found no evidence that the incidence of complications would be reduced by a limited PLND.

     

Oncological outcome after lateral pelvic lymphadenectomy for low rectal carcinoma: not only an N-status matter

Tumour deposits (TDs), novel pathological entities, should be considered when estimating the regional and systemic spread of rectal carcinoma and formulating treatment strategies. In fact, TDs may have more severe prognostic impact than lymph node positivity or the lymph node ratio. The assessment of the presence of TDs can be performed only through accurate postoperative pathological examination; however, the detection of TDs is not part of any of the procedures currently used to assess preoperative or intraoperative staging. This review aims to analyse and discuss the impact of TDs on the oncological outcome of patients who undergo surgery for advanced low rectal carcinoma. No prospective study has evaluated the impact of lateral pelvic TDs on oncological outcomes following total mesorectal excision with lateral pelvic lymphadenectomy. Although adequate total mesorectal excision allows for the excision of intramesorectal TDs, lateral pelvic lymph node dissection cannot guarantee the removal of lateral pelvic TDs; moreover, it remains to be determined whether surgical excision of lateral pelvic TDs can impact long-term outcomes. However, the identification of lateral pelvic TDs strengthens the ‘staging effect’ and limits the ‘therapeutic effect’ of lateral pelvic lymphadenectomy, supporting the rationale for the use of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer. When evaluating the oncological outcomes after total mesorectal excision with lateral pelvic lymphadenectomy, the impact of lateral pelvic TDs should be considered.     

腹腔镜下膀胱癌根治术中膀胱切除前后标准淋巴结清扫效果比较

目的观察在腹腔镜膀胱癌根治术中膀胱切除前后进行标准盆腔淋巴结清扫术(PLND)两种手术方案的相关临床指标变化。方法回顾性分析2018年1月至2019年5月长海医院接受腹腔镜膀胱癌根治术加标准淋巴结清扫的63例肌层浸润性膀胱癌(MIBC)患者的临床资料,其中男性54例,女性9例;年龄41~85岁,平均(66±9)岁。由2位不同的主刀医生分别实施先清扫淋巴结组(A组)和后清扫淋巴结组(B组)。统计术中及术后的相关临床指标,结果用t检验、非参数检验和卡方分析进行统计分析。结果两组的年龄、体质指数和肿瘤分期等术前基线指标无统计学差异。A、B组清扫淋巴结总数分别为11.3±5.8和13.6±5.1(P>0.05),阳性淋巴结检出率分别为15.6%(5/32)和22.6%(7/31,P>0.05),并发症发生率分别为9.4%(3/32)和3.2%(1/31,P>0.05);术中出血量和手术前后血红蛋白、白蛋白以及肌酐变化值等无统计学差异(P>0.05)。结论腹腔镜下膀胱癌根治术在膀胱切除前后行标准PLND在淋巴结清扫数量、术后临床指标变化方面两组无显著性差异,两种手术方式在熟练掌握手术技巧后均安全、有效。     

Intraoperative frozen section assessment of pelvic lymph nodes during radical prostatectomy is of limited value

Study Type – Therapy (case series)
Level of Evidence 4

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the accuracy of frozen section (FS) assessment of pelvic lymph nodes (PLNs) during radical prostatectomy (RP) in a large contemporary cohort; and to analyse the contribution of FS to surgical decision making in this setting.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

During a 4‐year period at a single institution, RPs with PLN dissection (PLND) were reviewed. The number and size of the PLNs, and the size of metastases were measured.

RESULTS

FS was performed on 349 bilateral PLNDs. Overall, 28 (8%) cases were positive for metastasis, 11 of which were detected by FS (39%). The 17 false negatives, all of which contained metastases smaller than 5 mm, were due to failure to identify and freeze the positive PLNs (11), failure to section at the level of the metastatic tumour (four), or interpretative error (two). The sensitivity was not affected by the number of sampled nodes. The size of metastasis was the determining factor for the accuracy of FS, with metastases of ≥5 mm having a sensitivity of 100%, and metastases of <5 mm having a sensitivity of 10%. Among the 11 true positives, RP was aborted in eight cases and continued in three. During the same period, 261 PLNDs were performed without FS, and 18 (6.9%) had metastases.

CONCLUSIONS

FS is highly accurate in detecting large, grossly evident metastases, but performs poorly on micrometastases. It is recommended that a two‐step approach applied to routine FS starting with a careful gross examination followed by FS for only grossly suspicious PLNs.     

The role of extended pelvic lymphadenectomy with radical prostatectomy for high-risk prostate cancer

IntroductionThe role of pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) during radical prostatectomy (RP) for prostate cancer (PCa) is controversial. Despite extensive research in both patterns of lymphatic drainage and the clinical effect of lymph node involvement, the exact role of PLND in PCa is yet to be defined.MethodsA systematic search of the MEDLINE database was performed, and all relevant articles were reviewed in depth.ResultsWe included 84 relevant articles in our review and subdivided the information into the following categories: preoperative patient evaluation, procedure/extent of dissection, complications, and robotic surgery era. Most authors agree that the greatest benefit is seen in patients with high-risk PCa undergoing RP. Multiple imaging modalities have been evaluated for assistance in patient selection, but the use of preoperative nomograms appears to be the most helpful selection tool. The role of limited PLND vs. extended PLND (e-PLND) is yet to be defined, though many authors agree that e-PLND is preferred in the setting of high-risk PCa. Although PLND is associated with a higher incidence of complications, especially lymphocele formation, it is unclear whether e-PLND leads to more complications than limited PLND. The introduction of minimally invasive surgery may have had a negative effect on implementation of PLND in the appropriate patients undergoing RP.ConclusionDespite a lack of prospective, randomized trials evaluating PLND in RP, there does appear to be a consistent benefit in patients with high-risk disease.     

Impact of surgical volume on the rate of lymph node metastases in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy and extended pelvic lymph node dissection for clinically localized prostate cancer

BACKGROUND: Previous trials have shown that the number of procedures done by a single surgeon, that is, surgical volume (SV), is associated with several outcomes after radical prostatectomy (RP). OBJECTIVE: To test the association between SV and the detection of lymph node metastases during extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The study cohort consisted of 1020 men surgically treated for clinically localized prostate cancer. INTERVENTION: All patients underwent RP and ePLND by a group of six surgeons who were trained by the surgeon with the highest SV. All surgeons performed an anatomically extended PLND, including removal of obturator, external iliac, and hypogastric nodes. MEASUREMENTS: Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models tested the association between SV (either continuously coded or dichotomized according to the most informative cut-off, namely >144 vs /=0.06). Conversely, the surgeon with the highest SV removed more nodes and found more nodal metastases compared with the other surgeons (21.1 vs 17.9 mean number of nodes removed; p<0.001, and 15 vs 9.8% of LNI; p=0.01, respectively). At univariable logistic regression analysis, either continuously coded or dichotomized SV was a significant predictor of LNI (p=0.007 and p<0.001, respectively). In multivariable models, continuously coded as well as dichotomized SV maintained a significant association with the rate of LNI, after accounting for preoperative (p=0.04 and p=0.009, respectively) as well as for postoperative variables (p=0.03 and p=0.002, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: After adjusting for clinical and pathologic case-mix differences, patients treated by the highest-volume surgeons (>144 ePLNDs) were more likely to have LNI than those treated by low-volume surgeons, even though all surgeons used a similar extended template for node removal.