Lymph node retrieval in colorectal cancer resection specimens: national standards are achievable,and low numbers are associated with reduced survival

Objectives The current guidelines identify the retrieval of at least 12 lymph nodes as crucial for accurate staging of colorectal cancer. We set out to review our figures from a single centre to see whether this standard has been met, and to examine for factors which may influence the number of lymph nodes retrieved. The influence of a low lymph node harvest on survival in patients with Dukes’ A and B cancers was specifically investigated. Method Data were collected from all patients with colorectal cancer undergoing resectional surgery from our prospectively compiled database between June 1998 and May 2007. A multivariate analysis was performed to identify factors resulting in low lymph node yields in those patients undergoing formal resection. Survival analyses were performed in patients with Dukes’ A and B cancers to assess whether a low lymph node yield negatively impacted on survival. Results A total of 2449 patients underwent formal resection and were included in the analysis. The median lymph node retrieval was 13 nodes (range 0–136). On multivariate analysis, preoperative chemo‐radiotherapy, operation type, specimen length and patient age all independently influenced lymph node retrieval. Patient gender, ethnicity, operative mode, operative team and consultant presence had no influence. Survival in patients with Dukes’ A and B cancers was significantly reduced if <12 nodes were sampled. Conclusions As a unit, we are achieving the national standard for lymph node harvest. This standard was maintained whether the surgeon performing the surgery was a consultant or a trainee, and also when the surgery was performed in the emergency setting. These data support the concept of 12 nodes being required for accurate staging.     

Dukes A、B期大肠癌淋巴结微转移的检测及其对预后的影响

目的：探讨Dukes A、B期大肠癌淋巴结微转移的检测和淋巴结微转移对预后的影响.方法：于前瞻性研究31例行根治性手术的Dukes A、B期大肠癌病人,应用逆转录聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）检测所清除的398枚淋巴结中细胞角蛋白（cvtokeratin,CK）20 mRNA的表达以检出微转移;经5年以上的随访,探讨淋巴结微转移对预后的影响和术后复发的可能原因.结果：在31例Dukes A、B期大肠癌病人的398枚淋巴结中,有15例（48.39%）共46枚（11.56%）淋巴结检出微转移.单因素分析提示微转移的淋巴结数量、位置及肿瘤生长方式与术后复发有关;Logistic多元回归模型提示,3枚以上淋巴结发生微转移与复发紧密联系.结论：CK20 RT-PCR是检测Dukes A、B期大肠癌淋巴结微转移灵敏而特异的方法.3枚以上淋巴结发现微转移是预示复发的独立因素.     

淋巴结微转移及相关蛋白检测在大肠癌患者Dukes分期、治疗和预后中的意义

目的 探讨淋巴结微转移（LNMM）和nm23-H1、基质金属蛋白酶9（MMP9）、金属蛋白酶2组织抑制因子（TIMP2）蛋白检测及其相关性在大肠癌患者Dukes分期、治疗和预后中的意义。方法 应用免疫组化SABC法检测30例DukesB期大肠癌淋巴结细胞角蛋白20（CK20）和癌组织nm23-H1、MMP9、TIMP2蛋白表达,另对同期30例DukesC和D期大肠癌患者检测nm23-H1、MMP9和TIMP2;随访、记录患者的临床病理参数和生存资料,分析其相关性。结果 （1）26．7％DukesB期大肠癌患者、7．8％DukesB期大肠癌淋巴结存在CK20阳性。（2）DukesB期大肠癌nm23-H1、MMP9表达与DukesC和D期差异显著（P〈0．05）;nm23-H,表达下降和（或）MMP9表达增强与LNMM相关（P〈0．05）,两者预测大肠癌LNMM敏感性和特异性分别为62．5％和81．8％、75．0％和69．8％,联合检测特异性则达90．9％;而TIMP2与Dukes分期、LNMM无关。（3）DukesB期LNMM（＋）患者癌复发转移率明显高于同期LNMM（-）组（P〈0．05）,而生存率则降低（P〈0．05）;nm23-H1（-）LNMM（＋）、MMP9（＋）LNMM（＋）患者生存期明显短于nm23-H1（＋）LNMM（-）、MMPq（＋）LNMM（-）组（P〈0．05）。结论 CK20免疫组化可检出大肠癌LNMM;DukesB期大肠癌nm23-H1、MMP9表达与LNMM相关,且表达异常LNMM患者预后差;联合检测淋巴结CK20和癌组织rim23-H1、MMP9表达,对大肠癌Dukes分期、术后辅助化疗和预后判断有重要意义。     

Micrometastasis in regional lymph nodes of extirpated colorectal carcinoma: immunohistochemical study using anti-cytokeratin antibodies AE1/AE3

Objective The main objectives of this study were to identify, by immunohistochemistry, possible micrometastasis in the regional lymph nodes previously considered free by conventional histopathological examination, and to assess their influence on the survival of patients with colorectal cancer that had been extirpated in a radical manner. Patients and methods From 38 patients with Dukes B staging (Colorectal Carcinoma Stage II (T3 N0 M0 or T4 N0 M0)) colorectal carcinoma, 383 lymph nodes were studied in paraffin blocks that had previously been considered free by conventional histopathological examination. These were submitted to immunohistochemical study using AE1/AE3 anti‐cytokeratin monoclonal antibodies to identify neoplastic epithelial cells. Results Seven lymph nodes (1.82%) in six patients (15.78%) contained micrometastasis. The survival of the patients with extirpated colorectal carcinoma staged as Dukes B who had lymph node metastasis was less than in the group of patients without micrometastasis, although these values were not statistically significant. Conclusion This immunohistochemical method can be employed successfully in the detection of neoplastic cells in lymph nodes previously considered free. In this study, there was a trend towards lower survival in node‐positive patients but this did not reach statistical significance.     

Variance of surgeons versus pathologists in staging of colorectal cancer

AIM: Accurate staging of colorectal cancer depends on adequate retrieval and reporting of lymph nodes in the specimen. The presence of positive lymph nodes is an indication for adjuvant therapy. Both surgeons and pathologists influence the number of lymph nodes that are retrieved and reported in specimens. Although several recommendations exist in the literature regarding the minimum number of lymph nodes required for reliable staging, the relationship of examined to infiltrated lymph nodes has not been clarified. The aims of this study were to examine variance among surgeons and pathologists in the retrieval and reporting of lymph nodes in colorectal cancer specimens; to examine the relationship between retrieved/examined lymph nodes and infiltrated lymph nodes; to identify in our own series the minimum number of retrieved lymph nodes required to secure accurate staging. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 284 patients with colorectal cancer followed in our hospital and retrospective analysis of histopathology reports. Correlation analysis, ANOVA, and survival analysis were performed on the data. RESULTS: There were 127 patients with cancer of the rectum and 157 patients with cancer of the colon under follow-up. The median number of lymph nodes per specimen was 8 (range 0-29). There was no difference in the number of retrieved lymph nodes among 9 surgeons. There were 2 outliers among pathologists, with one reporting a mean of 11.4 (9.8-12.9) 95% CI nodes per specimen and another reporting a mean 4.9 (3.6-6.2) 95% CI nodes per specimen. Dukes and T stage did not affect the number of nodes. Correlation analysis revealed a linear correlation between the total number of reported lymph nodes and the existence of positive lymph nodes. From the correlation equation we calculated that, in order to have one positive node, a minimum of 8.4 nodes was required in the specimen. Therefore, in our group of patients, a minimum of 8.4 nodes was required for accurate Dukes staging. However, survival analysis did not show any difference between patients with more and patients with less than 9 reported lymph nodes. CONCLUSIONS: Variance among pathologists exists and may be at least as important as variance among surgeons. Specialisation of pathologists similar to that of surgeons as well as employment of new techniques may be required . There is a linear correlation between the number of examined lymph nodes and the presence of positive nodes in a colorectal cancer specimen. This linear correlation makes the calculation of the minimum number of lymph nodes possible. In our series a minimum of nine nodes must be examined. However, we have not demonstrated an effect of inadequate nodes numbers on survival, possibly because survival in colorectal cancer is multifactorial.     

Factors that Influence 12 or More Harvested Lymph Nodes in Early-Stage Colorectal Cancer

Background  The number of lymph nodes required for accurate staging is a critical component in early-stage (stage A and B) colorectal cancer (CRC). Current guidelines demand at least 12 lymph nodes to be retrieved. Results of previous studies were contradictory in factors, which influenced the number of harvested lymph nodes. This study was designed to determine the factors that influence the number of harvested lymph nodes (≥12) in early-stage CRC in a single institution. Methods  Between 2003 and 2007, data on patients who underwent surgery for early-stage CRC were analyzed retrospectively. Data for a total of 470 patients were collected and all the tumor-bearing specimens were fixed with node identification performed. Several possible factors that influence 12 or more harvested lymph nodes were investigated and classified into four aspects: (1) operating surgeon, (2) examining pathologist, (3) patient (age, sex, and body mass index), and (4) disease (maximal length of tumor, length of specimen, tumor localization, tumor cell differentiation, Dukes stage, type of resection, and type of tumor). Results  A total of 289 patients (61.5%) with 12 or more harvested lymph nodes and 181 patients (38.5%) with < 12 lymph nodes were analyzed. The results demonstrate that within a single institution the maximal length of tumor, tumor localization, and depth of tumor invasion according to Dukes stage were independent influencing factors of 12 or more harvested lymph nodes. Maximal length of tumor was associated with more harvested lymph nodes (P < 0.001). Neither the operating surgeon nor the examining pathologist had significant influence on the number of harvested lymph nodes. Conclusions  The number of harvested lymph nodes was highly variable in patients who underwent resection of early-stage CRC. Neither the operating surgeon nor the examining pathologist had significant influence on the number of harvested lymph nodes. Therefore, from the viewpoint of the surgeons, disease itself is the most important factor influencing the number of harvested lymph nodes.     

Effect of preoperative radiochemotherapy on lymph node retrieval after resection of rectal cancer

HYPOTHESIS: Preoperative radiochemotherapy for advanced rectal cancer results in fewer lymph nodes detected in the tumor-bearing specimen. DESIGN: Nonrandomized control trial with analysis of a prospective perioperative database. SETTING: Department of Surgery of a large-volume university hospital. PATIENTS: All patients who underwent conventional open surgery to cure rectal cancer between January 1, 1996, and March 31, 2001. INTERVENTIONS: During the study period 184 patients (81%, control group) underwent surgery without receiving preoperative radiochemotherapy. Forty-two patients (19%, study group) who had advanced rectal cancer (modified Dukes stages B [tumors that have penetrated the muscle layer of the bowel wall or have gone through the bowel] or C [tumors that have spread to the lymph nodes in the same region]) received preoperative radiochemotherapy (2 cycles of fluorouracil, 4500 rad) during this period. Most patients underwent anterior rectal resection in both groups (77.7% of those who did not receive preoperative radiochemotherapy and 71.8% of those who did), the remaining patients were treated with abdominoperineal resection. RESULTS: A mean (SEM) of 19 (1) lymph nodes per specimen were detected in the control patients, while significantly fewer lymph nodes were detected in study patients (13 [1]; P<.05). The rate of inadequate lymph node staging (pNx) increased from 7% in the control group to 12% in the study group (P =.06). Pathological lymph node staging disclosed that significantly more study patients who received preoperative radiochemotherapy had modified Dukes stage A (tumors that are found only in the inner wall or rectum) cancer when compared with the control group (17% vs 0%, respectively; P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative radiochemotherapy for advanced rectal cancer results in a significant decrease of lymph nodes detected within the tumor-bearing specimen. Preoperative radiochemotherapy induces significant downstaging with fewer positive lymph nodes and more patients presenting with Dukes stage A rectal cancer. Great care must be taken to remove an adequate number of lymph nodes and more sophisticated pathological techniques of lymph node detection are required since the tumors of ever-increasing numbers of patients are inadequately classified.     

Tumor angiogenesis in lymph node-negative rectal cancer: Correlation with clinicopathological parameters and prognosis

BACKGROUND: Intratumoral microvessel density (MVD) could be used as a prognostic factor in colorectal cancer. We retrospectively analyzed the value of microvessel count in predicting the clinical outcome of stage I and II (Dukes A and B) rectal cancer patients. METHODS: Eighty-four patients who had undergone curative resection of lymph node-negative rectal cancer were included. Tumor type and differentiation, the depth of local invasion, venous invasion, the character of the invasive margin, and the degree of lymphocytic infiltration were evaluated for each tumor specimen. Immunohistochemical staining for the CD31 endothelial antigen was performed to highlight the microvessels. RESULTS: The median value of MVD was 45 microvessels. Low MVD (microvessels < or = 45) was observed in 41 patients (48.8%), and high MVD (>45) was found in 43 (51.2%). The presence of conspicuous lymphocytic infiltration was significantly associated with increased vessel density. With uni- and multivariate survival analysis MVD did not show any prognostic significance. The character of the invasive margin was the only parameter with independent prognostic value. CONCLUSIONS: MVD does not seem to provide any additional prognostic information when compared with standard histopathological parameters in lymph node-negative rectal cancer. It is likely that the strong association between MVD and the presence of conspicuous lymphocytic infiltration may interfere with its predictive value.     

The Prognostic Significance of Total Lymph Node Harvest in Patients with T<Subscript>2–4</Subscript>N<Subscript>0</Subscript>M<Subscript>0</Subscript> Colorectal Cancer

In patients with radically resected colorectal carcinoma, lymph node involvement is particularly important for a good prognosis and adjuvant therapy. The number of such lymph node recoveries is still controversial, with recommendations ranging from 6 to 17 nodes. The aim of this study is to determine if a specified minimum number of lymph nodes examined per surgical specimen can have any effect on the prognosis of patients who have undergone curative resection for T_2–4N₀M₀ colorectal carcinoma. Between September 1999 and January 2005, a total of 366 patients who underwent radical resection for T_2–4N₀M₀ colorectal carcinoma were retrospectively analyzed in a single institution. All specimen segments were fixed, with node identification performed by sight and palpation. We excluded 186 patients who received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy via oral or intravenous transmission to prevent possible chemotherapeutic effects on patients’ prognosis; therefore, a total of 180 patients with T_2–4N₀M₀ colorectal carcinoma were enrolled into this study. After the pathological examination, a mean of 12 lymph nodes (range 0–66) was harvested per tumor specimen. No postoperative relapse was found in this group, where the number of examined lymph nodes was 18 or more. Univariate analysis identified the size of the tumor, depth of invasion, grade of tumor, and number of examined lymph nodes, which were significantly correlated with postoperative relapse (all P < 0.05). Meanwhile, both the depth of tumor invasion and the number of harvested lymph nodes were independent predictors for postoperative relapse (P < 0.05). The 5-year overall survival rate of T_2–4N₀M₀ colorectal carcinoma patients who had 18 or more lymph nodes examined was significantly higher than those who had less than 18 nodes examined (P = 0.015). Nodal harvest in patients undergoing radical resection for colorectal carcinoma was highly significant in the current investigation. Our results suggest that harvesting and examining a minimum of 18 lymph nodes per surgical specimen might be taken into consideration for more reliable staging of lymph node-negative colorectal carcinoma.     

Enhancement the Prediction of Postoperative Survival in Gastric Cancer by Combining the Negative Lymph Node Count with Ratio Between Positive and Examined Lymph Nodes

Background

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the negative lymph node (NLN) count on the prognostic prediction of the ratio between positive and examined lymph nodes (RML) in gastric cancer after curative resection.

Methods

The positive and negative node counts were determined for 456 patients who underwent curative resection for gastric cancer. Overall survival was examined according to clinicopathologic variables. The correlation between the NLN count and the aforementioned best variable for prediction the disease-specific overall survival was examined.

Results

The NLN count cutoffs were designed as 0–9, 10–14, and ≥15, with the 5-year survival rate 4.1, 30.7, and 74.8%, respectively. RML of 98 patients who had an NLN count of nine or fewer was ≥40%. The median survival of these patients was 12 months. Of 88 patients who had 10 to 14 NLN count, 7 had 74-month median survival with 0.1–10% RML, 52 had 47-month median survival with 10.1–40% RML, and 29 had 22-month median survival with >40% RML. Of 270 patients who had ≥15 NLN count, 157 had 114-month median survival without positive nodes, 62 had 98-month median survival with 0.1–10% RML, 45 had 40-month median survival with 10.1–40% RML, and 6 had 14-month median survival with >40% RML.

Conclusions

The NLN count is a key factor for improvement of survival prediction of RML in gastric cancer.     

Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection Is Beneficial in Subsets of Patients with Node-positive Melanoma

BACKGROUND: The benefits of deep pelvic lymph node dissection (DLND) for patients with node-positive melanoma continue to be debated. The objective of our analysis was to identify factors associated with involvement of pelvic nodes and to determine survival outcomes following DLND. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 804 patients who had undergone any type of lymph node dissection between 1990 and 2001. Logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with tumor metastasis to pelvic nodes. Associations between clinicopathological factors and survival outcomes were estimated using the Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: Of the 804 patients, 235 underwent superficial lymph node dissection (SLND) and 97 underwent combined SLND and DLND (combined LND). Age >or=50 years, number of positive superficial nodes, and positive radiological imaging findings were found to be predictors of metastasis to deep nodes. With a median follow-up of 7.5 years, 5-year overall survival (OS) was 42% for patients with positive deep nodes and 51% for those with negative deep nodes (P = 0.11). OS in patients with melanoma that metastasized to three or fewer deep pelvic lymph nodes is comparable to that in patients with no deep nodal involvement. Multivariate analysis identified number of positive deep nodes, male gender, and extra-capsular extension as independent adverse prognostic factors for OS. CONCLUSIONS: These relatively favorable survival outcomes support current surgical practice and the classification of metastatic pelvic nodal disease as stage-III rather than stage-IV (distant) disease.     

Surgery for pulmonary metastases from colorectal carcinoma

BACKGROUND: This study aims to clarify which patients would benefit by surgery for pulmonary metastases from colorectal carcinoma. METHODS: A retrospective study was undertaken in 25 patients who had undergone complete resection. In all cases, prethoracotomy carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level was measured and mediastinal or hilar lymph nodes were histologically examined. RESULTS: Overall 5-year survival was 39.2%. The 5-year survival rate for patients with a normal CEA level was 61.1%, as compared with 19.0% for patients with an elevated CEA level (p = 0.0423). The 5-year survival rate for patients without a lymph node metastasis was 49.5%, as compared with 14.3% for patients with a lymph node metastasis (p = 0.0032). No lymph node metastasis was a predictor of longer survival by univariate and multivariate analyses. The primary site, disease-free interval, and number and size of the metastasis were not significant prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: A resection for pulmonary metastasis from colorectal carcinoma is effective in patients with a normal CEA level and without a lymph node metastasis.     

Sentinel lymph node mapping in colorectal cancer

Sentinel lymph node mapping has already been accepted as part of the treatment for malignant melanomas of the skin and in breast carcinomas. The status of lymph nodes is an important prognostic marker in colorectal carcinoma as well. The authors tried the feasibility of this technique in colorectal carcinomas. The technique is analogous to the one used in breast cancer and melanoma: 2 ml of 2.5% Patentblau dye was given subserosally around the tumor. After resection the specimen was immediately sent to pathology where the lymph nodes were removed. This technique has been tried on 31 patients, 22 with colonic and 9 with rectal tumors. Of these patients, 15 were Dukes stage C, 14 were Dukes stage B and 2 were Dukes stage A. An average 4.3 blue lymph nodes were found in colon tumors and 5.4 in rectal tumors and an average 14 unstained lymph nodes were found in colon tumors, and 7 in rectal tumors. The blue nodes were predictive of the nodal status in 9 of the 15 Dukes stage C patients. In these cases the blue lymph nodes contained metastases and there were 2 cases where metastases were limited to the blue lymph nodes. SUMMARY: The authors found a high false negative rate for lymphatic mapping with the vital dye technique, therefore they try to change the method according to that used by Saha et al. The aim of sentinel node identification in colorectal carcinomas would be improved staging rather than reducing of the extent of lymphadenectomy. The role of lymphatic mapping in large bowel cancers needs further investigations. Until the results are reliable, as many lymph nodes as possible have to be excited and sent for histology.     

Positive Lymph Node Ratio Is an Independent Prognostic Factor in Gastric Cancer After D2 Resection Regardless of the Examined Number of Lymph Nodes

The purpose of this study was to clarify the outcome of the ratio between metastatic and examined lymph nodes (N ratio) in gastric cancer patients with ≤15 examined lymph nodes after D2 lymphadenectomy. A retrospective study was performed in 906 patients with gastric cancer who had undergone D2 resection. Patients with ≤15 examined lymph nodes (group 1, n = 729) and those with >15 lymph nodes (group 2, n = 177) were analyzed separately. N ratio categories were identified as follows: N ratio 0, 0%; N ratio 1, 1% to 9%; N ratio 2, 10% to 25%; N ratio 3, >25%. Univariate analysis found that both the tumor, node, metastasis system (N staging system) and N ratio system well classified patients with significantly different prognosis. By multivariate analysis, only the N ratio classification was retained as an independent prognostic factor in both group 1 and 2 compared with the N stage system. Furthermore, when patients were divided into four groups according to the number of lymph nodes examined (1 to 3, 4 to 7, 8 to 11, and 12 to 15), the 5-year survival rates remained similar between groups according to the same N ratio (p > .05). Positive N ratio classification is a better prognostic tool compared with N staging system after D2 resection in patients with gastric cancer. It can prevent stage migration and can be used regardless of the examined number of lymph nodes. Da-zhi Xu and Qi-rong Geng contributed equally to this work.     

Reduced Lymph Node Yield in Rectal Carcinoma Specimen After Neoadjuvant Radiochemotherapy Has No Prognostic Relevance

Background  In colorectal surgery UICC/AJCC criteria require a yield of 12 or more locoregional lymph nodes for adequate staging. Neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy for rectal carcinoma reduces the number of lymph nodes in the resection specimen; the prognostic impact of this reduced lymph node yield has not been determined. Methods  One hundred two patients with uT3 rectal carcinoma who were receiving neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy were compared with 114 patients with uT3 rectal carcinoma who were receiving primary surgery followed by adjuvant radiochemotherapy. Total lymph node yield and number of tumor-positive lymph nodes were determined and correlated with survival. Results  After neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy both total lymph node yield (12.9 vs. 21.4, p < 0.0001) and number of tumor-positive lymph nodes (1.0 vs. 2.3, p = 0.014) were significantly lower than after primary surgery plus adjuvant radiochemotherapy. Reduced total lymph node yield in neoadjuvantly treated patients had no prognostic impact, with overall survival of patients with 12 or more lymph nodes the same as that of patients with less than 12 lymph nodes. Overall survival of neoadjuvantly treated patients was significantly influenced by the number of tumor-positive lymph nodes with 5-year-survival rates of 88, 63, and 39% for 0, 1–3, and more than 3 positive lymph nodes (p < 0.0001). Conclusion  The UICC/AJCC criterion of a total lymph node yield of 12 or more should be revised for rectal carcinoma patients. D. Doll and R. Gertler contributed equally to this work.     

Impact of Total Lymph Node Count and Lymph Node Ratio on Staging and Survival after Pancreatectomy for Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: A Large, Population-Based Analysis

Background Based on data from other malignancies, the number of lymph nodes evaluated and the ratio of metastatic to examined lymph nodes (LNR) may be important predictors of survival. LNR has never been investigated in a large population-based study of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Methods The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was used to identify 4005 patients who underwent resection for pancreatic adenocarcinoma from 1988 to 2003. The effect of total lymph node count and LNR on survival was examined using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results The median number of lymph nodes examined was seven; 390 (10.1%) patients had no lymph nodes examined. Of those patients who had at least one lymph node examined, 1507 (43.3%) had no lymph node metastases (N0) and 1971 (56.7%) had metastatic nodal disease (N1). Overall median survival was 13 months, and 5-year survival was 6.8%. N1 disease was associated with a worse 5-year survival compared with N0 disease (4.3 vs 11.3%, respectively, P < .001). Patients with N0 disease could be further stratified based on the number of lymph nodes evaluated (median survival: 1–11 nodes, 16 months vs 12 or more nodes, 23 months; P < .001). For N1 patients, LNR was one of the most powerful factors associated with survival (LNR > 0–0.2, 15 months; LNR > 0.2–0.4, 12 months; LNR > 0.4, 10 months) (P < .001). Conclusions Most patients have an inadequate number of lymph nodes evaluated following pancreatic surgery. N0 patients who have fewer than 12 lymph nodes examined may be understaged. In patients with N1 disease, LNR may better substratify patients with regard to prognosis. Presented at the 60th Annual Cancer Symposium, The Society of Surgical Oncology, March 17, 2007.     

The Relationship of Lymph Node Evaluation and Colorectal Cancer Survival After Curative Resection: A Multi-Institutional Study

Purpose

This multicenter retrospective study aimed to clarify whether the number of lymph nodes retrieved influenced staging and survival in colorectal cancer.

Methods

We evaluated a total of 4538 patients who underwent curative resection for colorectal cancer with stage I, stage II, and stage III.

Results

The median number of lymph nodes retrieved was 19. The 5-year actuarial disease-specific survival of colon cancer patients with stage I, stage II, and stage III was 99.0%, 94.1%, and 79.1%, respectively, and that for rectal cancer patients with stage I, stage II, and stage III was 98.2%, 88.3%, and 69.1%, respectively. After adjustment for confounders, the number of lymph nodes retrieved and the number of positive nodes were both significant in prognosis for patients with colon cancer and rectal cancer. Survival improved with an increasing number of nodes in stage II patients. In stage III, patients within strata of retrieval of fewer than 12 nodes with a cutoff based on quartiles had lower discriminative ability (c-index 0.683). Patients who were treated at the hospitals with higher average node counts (>23.4 nodes) and higher 12-node measure compliance (>80%) experienced better survival than those treated at the hospitals with lower average node counts for advanced T-stage.

Conclusion

This study found that the number of lymph nodes retrieved and the number of positive nodes are both important prognostic factors. At least a 12-node threshold may be supported as a measure to improve a predictive capacity within individual patients and as a quality control parameter of hospital performance.     

多原发同时结直肠癌39例临床病理分析

目的探讨多原发同时结直肠癌的临床病理特征。方法回顾性分析39例多原发同时结直肠癌的临床资料,并与同期528例单发结直肠癌患者的临床资料进行比较。结果多原发同时结直肠癌在Dukes分期上,主癌分期明显较合并癌晚;且主癌的局部淋巴结转移及脉管浸润较合并癌多见;在病理类型上,主癌分化程度较合并癌差。多原发同时结直肠癌的腺瘤性息肉发生率（59.0%）明显高于单发结直肠癌患者（25.0%,P〈0.01）。手术前结肠镜明确为同时多原发癌的阳性率为76.9%,明显优于钡灌肠与术中探查（P〈0.01）。多原发同时癌患者的5年生存率（5.1%）明显低于单发癌者（28.2%）（P〈0.05）;行根治性手术的多原发同时癌患者5年总生存率则与单发癌患者相似（P〉0.05）;多原发同时癌接受根治性手术者的生存期明显高于姑息性手术者（P〈0.01）。Cox多因素分析显示,Dukes分期、淋巴结转移、脉管瘤栓、手术方式是影响患者生存的独立预后因素。结论多原发同时结直肠癌与单发结直肠癌的临床病理特征及预后是不尽相同的,提高多原发同时结直肠癌患者生存率的关键在于早期诊断和及时进行根治性手术切除。     

结直肠癌病检淋巴结数目与TNM分期及预后的关系

目的 探讨病检淋巴结数目与结直肠癌分期及预后的关系.方法 将567例结直肠癌患者根据术后病检的淋巴结数目分为3个组:≤6枚、7～11枚、≥12枚组,比较各组5年生存率的差别.TNM分期(Ⅰ～Ⅳ期)分别以病检淋巴结数目分为<12枚和≥12枚两组,比较各分期中两组的5年生存率的差别,分析预后相关因素.5年生存率的比较采用Kaplan-Meier法并经Log-rank检验,预后多因素分析采用Cox比例风险模型.结果 567例平均病检淋巴结数目为(16.75±9.88)枚,病检淋巴结数目分别为≤6枚,7～11枚,≥12枚时,结直肠癌5年生存率各为32.3%(21/65),43.8%(53/121),57.7%(220/381),单因素分析表明,病检淋巴结数目≥12枚的结直肠癌5年生存率明显高于其他两组(≤6枚,7～11枚)(P<0.05).<12枚、≥12枚淋巴结两组在Ⅰ期或Ⅳ期的结直肠癌5年生存率无明显差别(89.5%vs.89.1%,8.0%vs.18.2%,P>0.05),而≥12枚淋巴结的Ⅱ期和Ⅲ期5年生存率明显高于<12枚(71.1%vs.32.6%,48.8%vs.30.0%,P<0.05),多因素COX回归模型分析表明,病检淋巴结数目是Ⅱ、Ⅲ期结直肠癌独立的预后因素.结论 病检的淋巴结数目主要通过影响Ⅱ、Ⅲ期的预后与结直肠癌总5年生存率明显相关,是Ⅱ、Ⅲ期结直肠癌独立的预后因素.

Abstract：

Objective To study the relationship between the number of examined lymph nodes and the prognosis of colorectal cancer by TNM stage. Methods According to the number of examined lymph nodes, 567 patients of colorectal carcinoma who underwent resection were divided into three groups: ≤ 6,7-11 and ≥ 12, the 5-year overall survival rates of three groups were compared. For each TNM stage ( stage Ⅰ -Ⅳ ) , patients were substratified into two groups basing on the number of examined lymph nodes:<12 group and ≥12 group, the 5-year survival rates of two groups in each TNM stage were assessed, and prognostic factors of stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ stage were analyzed. 5-year survival curves were estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by the log-rank test. Cox proportional models were used to conduct multivariate analyses of prognostic factors. Results The average number of examined lymph nodes was 16. 75 ±9. 88. With the patients grouped by the number of lymph nodes ( ≤6,7 -11 and ≥12 nodes) , the 5-year survival rate was 32. 3% , 43. 8% , and 57. 7% , the univariable analysis indicated that the 5-year survival rate of ≥ 12 examined nodes were significantly higher than the other groups (P<0. 05). There was no difference between two groups in the 5-year survival rates of stage Ⅰ or Ⅳ colorectal cancer (89. 5% vs.89. 1% ,8. 0% vs. 18. 2% , P>0. 05 ) , however, the 5-year survival rates of stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ colorectal cancer in ≥12 group were significantly higher than<12 group(71. 1% vs. 32. 6% ,48. 8% vs. 30. 0% ,P<0. 05) , multivariable analysis revealed that the number of lymph nodes examined was an independent factor of prognosis of stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ colorectal cancer. Conclusions The number of examined lymph nodes significantly influenced the 5-year overall survival rate of TNM stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ colorectal cancer.     

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Cutaneous Melanoma: A Case-Control Study

Abstarct Background Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is the most precise method for staging invasive cutaneous melanoma, but its therapeutic effect has been difficult to assess, and SLNB is not routinely used in all melanoma treatment centers. Methods This case-control study of 305 prospective SLNB patients compared them with 616 retrospective patients who had not undergone invasive nodal staging at diagnosis. Thin melanomas were included in both study groups. Results A total of 50 SLNB patients were sentinel positive (16.4%) and 255 were sentinel negative (83.6%). A total of 49 of the 50 sentinel-positive patients underwent completion lymph node dissection, and 9 of them (18%) had additional metastases in the nonsentinel nodes. The false-negative rate was 1.6% (five same-basin nodal recurrences during follow-up). There was a significant difference in melanoma-related overall survival (OS) between sentinel-positive and sentinel-negative patients (P < .001). The tumor burden of the sentinel nodes was a significant prognostic factor for melanoma-related OS (P < .001). There was no significant difference in melanoma-related OS or disease-free survival between the study groups, but the nodal disease-free survival was significantly longer among the SLNB patients (P = .004). Conclusions SLNB is recommended for routine use in the treatment of cutaneous melanoma because the sentinel node status carries unique prognostic information on the survival of melanoma patient. Improved regional disease control is an obvious therapeutic advantage of SLNB and immediate completion lymph node dissection.