Laparoscopic lymph node staging of cervical cancer in the 19th week of pregnancy

We present the case of a 39-year-old gravida I para 0 woman who underwent laparoscopic staging of lymph node involvement in cervical cancer in the 19th week of pregnancy. She had been diagnosed with adenosquamous carcinoma of the cervix, stage 1B 1, grade 2, with tumor involvement of the lymphovascular space and tumor involved resection margins via a cone biopsy in the 16th week of pregnancy. In order to decide whether it would be safe to proceed with the pregnancy, she was submitted to the laparoscopic exposure and removal of 18 parametric and pelvic lymph nodes. One positive lymph node was detected at the right internal iliac artery; therefore, an open radical hysterectomy with paraaortic lymphadenectomy was performed. This case shows that lymph node staging for cervical cancer can be done laparoscopically in the 2nd trimester. Information yielded during the course of this procedure can be crucial in deciding whether it is possible to preserve the pregnancy.     

Laparoscopic lymph node staging of cervical cancer in the 19th week of pregnancy

apd: 6 February 2001     

Laparoscopic radioisotope-guided sentinel lymph node dissection in staging of prostate cancer

OBJECTIVES: To present our experience in laparoscopic sentinel lymph node (SLN) dissection in staging of clinically localized prostate cancer. METHODS: From November 2001 to January 2005 laparoscopic SLN dissection was performed in 140 patients with clinically localized prostate cancer preceding radical prostatectomy. Mean preoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level was 8.26 ng/ml (SD 9.46). At 24 h before surgery, 2 ml 99mTc-labeled human albumin (2 ml/200 MBq) colloid was injected into the prostate gland under transrectal ultrasound guidance. Prostatic SLNs were detected by preoperative planar scintigraphy and intraoperative scanning with a specially designed laparoscopic gamma probe. The detected nodes were dissected and evaluated on frozen section. In case of positive frozen section extended lymph node dissection was performed. RESULTS: SLN was identified on both or one pelvic sidewall in 96 (68.1%) and 36 (25.7%) of the patients, respectively. SLNs were undetectable in 8 (5.7%) cases. In 48.2% (135 of 280) of the pelvic sidewalls, SLNs were exclusively outside the obturator fossa. Final histopathologic examination revealed SLN metastases in 19 (13.5%) patients; 71.4% (20 of 28) of the detected metastases were outside the current standard of lymph node dissection limited to the obturator fossa. Mean tumor size was 2.3 mm (SD 1.7). CONCLUSIONS: Our data confirm the reliability of laparoscopic SLN dissection in staging of prostate cancer. Significant numbers of detected metastases were outside of the routinely sampled obturator fossa. Small metastasis size makes them undetectable by currently available preoperative imaging modalities.     

Laparoscopic sentinel lymph node dissection--a novel technique for the staging of prostate cancer

OBJECTIVES: Pelvic lymph node metastases indicate a poor prognosis for prostate cancer patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of laparoscopic radioisotope guided sentinel lymph node (SLN) dissection in staging of prostate carcinoma. METHODS: 28 patients with prostate cancer and intermediate or high risk for lymph node metastases considered for external beam radiotherapy underwent laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy at our institution. For visualization of individual SLN distribution, an image fusion system consisting of a gamma-camera with integrated X-ray tube was used. During laparoscopic lymphadenectomy, SLN were identified using a laparoscopic gamma probe. RESULTS: Preoperative imaging and laparoscopic gamma probe allowed an excellent delineation of SLN. 57% (preoperative imaging) as well as 48% (intraoperative measurements) of SLN were found outside the obturator fossa. All SLN were removed successfully without intra- or postoperative complications. Despite extended lymphadenectomy, no significant lymphocele appeared. 10 lymph node metastases were found in 7 out of the 31 patients (23%) with 3 of the 10 metastases lying outside the obturator fossa representing the standard lymphadenectomy area. CONCLUSIONS: The present data demonstrate that laparoscopic SLN dissection is an excellent minimally invasive and technically feasible tool for staging of intermediate and high risk prostate cancer.     

Intraoperative lymph node staging of prostate cancer: the case against

Background: Intraoperative frozen section analysis of obturator nodes is an accepted screening procedure, excluding from prostatectomy that group of node‐positive patients who are presumed to almost always have disseminated cancer. The overall efficacy of this procedure depends not only on the near inevitability of cancer progression in these patients, but also the procedure morbidity (previously estimated at 8.4%), the additional costs (currently estimated at A$1200) and the infrequency of positive nodes. We evaluate the efficacy of lymph node staging for prostate cancer. Methods: We have evaluated the efficacy of intraoperative screening by node dissection in 123 prostatectomy cases. These cases were prescreened from a series of 261 radical prostatectomies by evaluating preoperative serum PSA and Gleason grade. Results: Three patients were identified with nodal disease, representing a detection rate of 2.4%. The present study confirms that current trends in prostate cancer identification and selection of individuals for radical surgery very rarely identify node‐positive disease even after preselection with accepted ‘high‐risk’ markers. Conclusion: Considering the attendant cost and morbidity, there appears to be no justification for lymph node dissection as a routine preliminary to prostatectomy.     

Early gastric cancer with widespread lymph node metastases; A case report

The resected stomach from a 58-year old male patient showed a 4.3×3.2 cm, depressed (II c) lesion in the body, histology of which revealed moderately differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma with invasion reaching the submucosa. Widespread metastases of lymph nodes including superior mesenteric and para-aortic ones were noted. The patient once worked in a mustard gas (Yperite) factory, and had chronic bronchitis. The exposure to this toxic substance was discussed in relation to the diffuse metastases of cancer.     

Comparison of different lymph node staging schemes in prostate cancer patients with lymph node metastasis

International Urology and Nephrology - In addition to standard TNM N staging, lymph node ratio (LNR) and log odds of metastatic lymph node (LODDS) staging methods have been developed for cancer...     

Extraperitoneal pelvioscopy in lymph node staging of bladder and prostatic cancer.

In view of the inadequate accuracy of radiological investigations, surgical lymphadenectomy is generally the last resort to assess lymph node involvement in bladder and prostatic cancers. Extraperitoneal pelvioscopy is a simple and effective method to avoid such invasive surgery, which is always slightly regrettable to perform purely for staging purposes. The investigation is performed with the patient under low spinal anesthesia via a short iliac incision using an instrument derived from the mediastinoscope. It allows biopsies from the external iliac, internal iliac, common iliac and obturator lymph node chains. We analyzed our results of pelvioscopy in 101 patients (36 prostatic and 65 bladder cancers). Extraperitoneal pelvioscopy, unilateral in 78 and bilateral in 23 cases, corrected the conclusions of the radiological assessment in 39% of the prostatic cancer cases and in 28% of the bladder cancer cases. The specificity and positive predictive value is 100%, sensitivity 84%, negative predictive value 93% and over-all reliability 95%. On the basis of the quality of the results and the low morbidity (5 cases of rapidly resolving lymphorrhea, 1 injury to the external iliac vein and 1 obturator nerve lesion), extraperitoneal pelvioscopy can be considered as a useful complement to the preoperative staging of bladder and prostatic cancer.     

Colorectal cancer in pregnancy. A case report

Carcinoma of the colon-rectum during pregnancy is rare (0.1-0.001%). Prognosis is severe as it is generally made at an advanced stage. The Authors report a case of adenocarcinoma of the recto-sigmoid junction in a 26-year-old pregnant woman. In this patient diagnosis was occasionally made after delivery by cesarean section. Early diagnosis is difficult because symptoms of colorectal cancer (vomiting, constipation, anemia, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain and distension, etc.) can be related to pregnancy. Gestational age and operability of the tumor are discussed by current medical and surgical management.     

Laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection for staging procedure in patients with T1-T3 prostate cancer

PURPOSE: We evaluated the usefulness and morbidity of laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection (LPLND) as a staging procedure for prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven patients with T1-T3 prostate cancer scheduled for conformal radiation therapy underwent LPLND. RESULTS: The median operation time was 103 minutes (range; 58-137 minutes), and the median intraoperative estimated blood loss was 5 ml. (range; very little-273 ml.). This procedure covered obturator nodes and the median number of dissected lymph nodes was 8.0. Median days to oral intake and return to normal activity were 1.0 days and 1.0 days, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: LPLND appears to be a safe, minimally invasive and useful procedure as a means of accurate staging for patients with prostate cancer undergoing radiation therapy.     

State-of-the-art lymph node staging for breast cancer in the year 2000

Axillary staging for breast cancer is vitally important for determining appropriate adjuvant hormone and chemotherapy. In the absence of distant metastases, axillary lymph node status remains the most accurate predictor of clinical outcome. Sentinel lymph node biopsy is a minimally invasive approach with enhanced accuracy and less morbidity than conventional axillary dissection. The stage is now set for the sentinel lymphadenectomy staging to move from state-of-the-art care to the standard care in coming years.     

Mediastinal lymph node staging with transesophageal echography in cancer of the lung

Transesophageal echography (TEE) was used prospectively to study mediastinal lymph node enlargement in 23 patients with cancer of the lung. The findings were validated blindly by comparison with computed tomography (CT, n = 23) and pathological N classification after curative surgery (n = 9). Lymph nodes larger than 1 cm were defined as pathologically enlarged. In the upper mediastinum, 22% (8 vs 36), in the lower mediastinum including the subaortic region 112% (37 vs 33) and in the hilar region 67% (6 vs 9) of enlarged lymph nodes diagnosed by CT were detected by TEE. A pathological study in 9 patients demonstrated true positive findings in 2 vs 1, true negatives in 4 vs 5, false positives in 3 vs 2 and false negatives in 0 vs 1 comparing TEE with CT. From these preliminary data, we conclude that TEE, although still experimental, is equal or superior to CT in detecting enlarged nodes in the lower mediastinum, specifically in the aortopulmonary window but clearly inferior in the upper mediastinum and the hilar region. Additional information on central tumors and infiltration of the heart or great vessels can be clarified. In addition, data on hemodynamics and cardiac status can be obtained. TEE seems to be a promising tool in the preoperative staging of lung cancer.     

The lymph node positive prostate cancer. A case for radiotherapy

The role of radiotherapy of the pelvic lymphatic pathways in patients with node positive prostate cancer remains uncertain. Interpretation of the few prospective studies (RTOG 75-06 and 77-06) is hampered by severe flaws in the study design. Extension of the radiation to the paraaortal region shows no advantage over radiation of the pelvic lymphatics alone and is not warranted. Data on longterm side-effects are only available from older studies with outdated radiation techniques. According to more recent studies short term side effects are considerably higher with radiation of the pelvic lymphatics when compared with radiation of the prostate alone. In summary radiation of the lymphatic pathways in lymph node positive prostate cancer cannot currently be considered as standard treatment and should be carried out within clinical studies.     

Lymph node count threshold for optimal pelvic lymph node staging in prostate cancer

Objectives: To test the relationship between the extent of pelvic lymph node dissection at radical prostatectomy and the rate of lymph node metastases, and to identify the ideal number of lymph nodes that should be removed to achieve an optimal staging. Methods: We assessed 20 789 prostate cancer patients treated with radical prostatectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection between 2004 and 2006. Receiver operating characteristics analyses were used to define the probability of correctly staging lymph node metastases patients according to lymph node count. Univariable and multivariable regression analyses tested the relationship between lymph node count and lymph node metastases rate. Results: The average lymph node count was 6.4 (median 5.0). Overall, the lymph node metastases rate was 2.5%; and it resulted to be 0.2, 1.5 and 6.7% in low, intermediate and high‐risk tumors, respectively. The rate of lymph node metastases was 3.5 and 6.7% in patients with 10 and 20 lymph node count, respectively. Removing 20 lymph nodes yielded a 90% probability of correctly staging lymph node metastases, regardless of risk group. In multivariable analysis, lymph node count was an independent predictor of lymph node metastases stage (odds ratio: 1.07, P < 0.001). Conclusions: A direct relationship might exist between the extent of pelvic lymph node dissection and the lymph node metastases rate. An extended pelvic lymph node dissection with at least 20 lymph nodes would offer correct lymph node staging in 90% of cases, regardless of tumor characteristics. This cut‐off might be considered adequate by most surgeons. Such a high lymph node yield necessitates an anatomically extended pelvic lymph node dissection.     

ESTS guidelines for intraoperative lymph node staging in non-small cell lung cancer.

The European Society of Thoracic Surgeons (ESTS) organized a workshop dealing with lymph node staging in non-small cell lung cancer. The objective of this workshop was to develop guidelines for definitions and the surgical procedures of intraoperative lymph node staging, and the pathologic evaluation of resected lymph nodes in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Relevant peer-reviewed publications on the subjects, the experience of the participants, and the opinion of the ESTS members contributing on line, were used to reach a consensus. Systematic nodal dissection is recommended in all cases to ensure complete resection. Lobe-specific systematic nodal dissection is acceptable for peripheral squamous T1 tumors, if hilar and interlobar nodes are negative on frozen section studies; it implies removal of, at least, three hilar and interlobar nodes and three mediastinal nodes from three stations in which the subcarinal is always included. Selected lymph node biopsies and sampling are justified to prove nodal involvement when resection is not possible. Pathologic evaluation includes all lymph nodes resected separately and those remaining in the lung specimen. Sections are done at the site of gross abnormalities. If macroscopic inspection does not detect any abnormal site, 2-mm slices of the nodes in the longitudinal plane are recommended. Routine search for micrometastases or isolated tumor cells in hematoxylin-eosin negative nodes would be desirable. Randomized controlled trials to evaluate adjuvant therapies for patients with these conditions are recommended. The adherence to these guidelines will standardize the intraoperative lymph node staging and pathologic evaluation, and improve pathologic staging, which will help decide on the best adjuvant therapy.     

Retroperitoneal giant lymph node hyperplasia. A case report and review of the literature

Giant lymph node hyperplasia (GLNH) is a rare tumor. The authors have reviewed the literature and brought the reported total to 235 cases. There are two types of GLNH, a hyaline-vascular and plasma-cell type. The usual presentation is as an asymptomatic solitary mass, though multicentric lesions are found. Symptoms are most frequent with the plasma-cell type. A syndrome of anemia, growth retardation, and hypergammaglobulinemia is seen in the plasma-cell type in children. The etiology is unknown, though immunologic studies indicate a reactive phenomenon. Radiologic studies are nonspecific. Therapy is surgical excision, which is usually curative.     

甲状腺乳头状癌淋巴结转移规律的研究

目的探讨甲状腺乳头状癌淋巴结转移的规律,为临床行选择性颈淋巴结清扫术提供依据。方法回顾性分析华中科技大学附属协和医院乳腺、甲状腺外科中心2003年6月至2006年6月间行甲状腺癌根治＋颈淋巴结清扫术,且颈清扫的淋巴结数目大于8枚的83例甲状腺乳头状癌临床资料。结果甲状腺乳头状癌最容易转移至Ⅵ区（单侧甲癌72.3%,双侧甲癌88.9%）,其次是Ⅲ、Ⅳ区（单侧甲癌57.9%,双侧甲癌50%～66.7%）,Ⅴ区和Ⅰ区较少发生淋巴结转移（单侧甲癌0%～20.1%,双侧甲癌25%～33.3%）。侵犯甲状腺包膜（88%）和滤泡亚型（85.7%）的甲状腺癌容易发生颈淋巴结转移。良性病变局部恶变（27.3%）和包膜型（25%）甲状腺癌,较少发生颈淋巴结转移。甲状腺上极的肿瘤可以先出现颈外侧区淋巴结转移。结论甲状腺乳头状癌的淋巴结转移的研究有助于确定选择性颈淋巴结清扫术范围,建议甲状腺乳头状癌常规清扫Ⅵ区淋巴结,肿瘤位于甲状腺下极者需清扫对侧下极淋巴结;对于肿瘤位于甲状腺上极的患者,应增加清扫Ⅱ、Ⅲ区的淋巴结。对风险较高的滤泡亚型及侵犯包膜的甲状腺乳头状癌清扫范围要更大,应清扫Ⅱ～Ⅵ区淋巴结。     

Superiority of ratio based lymph node staging for bladder cancer

PURPOSE: The current study evaluated lymph node staging and the outcome in patients with lymph node positive bladder cancer after radical cystectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 162 patients with lymph node positive bladder cancer were followed a median of 7.5 years after radical cystectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection for survival and local recurrence. Lymph node disease was stratified by pN stage, the number of positive lymph nodes and the number of positive lymph nodes in relation to the number removed (ratio based pN stage). RESULTS: A median of 13 lymph nodes (range 2 to 32) was examined, showing an average of 3.3 positive lymph nodes per specimen. An increased number of lymph nodes correlated with the identification of lymph node positive cases. The ratio of the number of positive-to-total number of lymph nodes removed better defined surgical outcome than conventional lymph node staging. CONCLUSIONS: Ratio based lymph node staging, which reflects the number of lymph nodes examined and the quality of lymph node dissection, was a significant prognostic variable for survival and local control in patients with lymph node positive bladder cancer after radical cystectomy.