Natural history, management, and surveillance of recurrent squamous cell penile carcinoma: a risk-based approach

For men with penile carcinoma, surveillance strategies may be tailored to the risks of local and regional recurrence, which vary according to the pathologic characteristics of the primary tumor and the modalities employed for local therapy (phallus sparing or extirpative) and regional therapy (surveillance or lymphadenectomy). Men at a higher risk for local or regional recurrence who should have more rigorous follow-up include those (1) treated with phallus-sparing strategies such as laser ablation, topical therapies, or radiotherapy; (2) patients with clinically negative inguinal lymph nodes who are managed without lymphadenectomy despite high-risk primary tumors (pT2-3, grade 3, vascular invasion); and (3) those with lymph node metastases after lymphadenectomy. Good candidates for less-stringent surveillance include patients with low-risk primary tumors (pTis, pTa, pT1, grades 1-2) and those with negative inguinal nodes after lymphadenectomy whose primary tumors were managed with partial or total penectomy.     

Lymphadenectomy in the Surgical Management of Penile Cancer

Context

Uncertainty remains about the extent and indications for inguinal lymphadenectomy in penile cancer, a procedure known for relatively high morbidity. Several attempts have been made to develop strategies which can improve the diagnostic quality and reduce the morbidity of the management of inguinal lymph nodes in penile cancer.

Objective

To analyse the existing published data on the surgical management of inguinal nodes in penile cancer regarding morbidity and survival.

Evidence acquisition

A Medline search was performed of the English-language literature (1966–September 2008) using the MeSH terms penile carcinoma, lymph node dissection, lymphadenectomy, and complications.

Evidence synthesis

Lymph node metastases are frequent in penile cancer, even in early pT1G2 stages. Since the results of systemic treatment of advanced penile cancer are disappointing, complete dissection of all involved lymph nodes is highly recommended. The extent of lymph node dissection should be adapted to clinical stage, as this corresponds to metastatic spread. For low-risk patients (pTis, pTa, and pT1G1) without palpable lymph nodes and with good compliance, a surveillance strategy may be chosen. For all other patients without palpable lymph nodes (including intermediate risk pT1G2 disease), a modified bilateral lymphadenectomy is recommended. An alternative to this is a dynamic sentinel lymph node biopsy in specialised centres. All patients with histologically proven lymph node metastases should undergo radical inguinal lymphadenectomy. Pelvic lymph node dissection should be done in all patients with more than two metastatic inguinal lymph nodes. In case of fixed inguinal lymph nodes, neoadjuvant chemotherapy is recommended, followed by node resection.

Conclusions

Lymphadenectomy is an integral part of the management of penile cancer, since early dissection of involved lymph nodes improves survival.     

33例阴茎癌的外科治疗分析

目的:探讨阴茎癌合理的外科治疗方法。方法:回顾性分析2008年1月~2012年12月间收治的33例阴茎癌患者的临床资料:鳞状细胞癌患者31例,疣状癌患者2例。5例行阴茎局部病变切除术,26例行阴茎部分切除术,2例行阴茎全切加会阴部尿道造口术。行腹股沟淋巴结清扫术20例,其中7例行双侧改良根治性腹股沟淋巴结清扫术,10例行一侧改良根治性腹股沟淋巴结清扫术+对侧改良腹股沟淋巴结清扫术,3例行髂腹股沟淋巴结清扫术+对侧改良腹股沟淋巴结清扫术。结果:33例患者定期随访1~5年,平均随访31个月,1年生存率为93.9%(31/33),2年为87.9%(29/33),5年为72.7%(24/33)。本组6例T1G2期以上阴茎癌患者行预防性腹股沟淋巴结清扫术,术后随访生存率为83%(5/6);而另有14例未行腹股沟淋巴结清扫术,术后随访死亡7例,生存率为50%(7/14)。在33例阴茎癌患者中,9例可扪及单侧或双侧腹股沟淋巴结,行双侧淋巴结活检,有6例为阳性,阳性率高达66.7%(6/9);但有3例阴性患者随访过程中出现腹股沟淋巴结转移,假阴性率为13%(3/23)。有7例伴髂、腹股沟淋巴结转移,随访期间7例患者全部死亡,结论:对阴茎癌患者,合理地选择手术方式切除肿瘤,并合适地选择行腹股沟淋巴结清扫的时机和方式,采用一定的手术技巧,可明显提高患者生存率并减少并发症。     

Morbidity of inguinal lymphadenectomy for invasive penile carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and the consequences of complications related to modified and radical inguinal lymphadenectomy in patients with invasive penile carcinoma, defined by invasion of the corpus spongiosum or cavernosum (> or =T2). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 118 modified (67.0%), and 58 radical (33.0%) inguinal lymphadenectomy were performed in 88 patients between 1989 and 2000. To decrease the morbidity, radical inguinal lymphadenectomy was proposed only in patients with palpable inguinal lymph nodes, uni- or bilaterally (N1 or N2). Modified inguinal lymphadenectomy was performed bilaterally in patients with invasive penile carcinoma and non-palpable inguinal lymph nodes (N0), and unilaterally in the side without inguinal metastases in N1 patients. Complications were assessed retrospectively with a median follow-up of 46 months and classified as early (event observed during the 30 days after the procedure) or late (event present after hospitalisation or after the first months). RESULTS: A total of 74 complications after 176 procedures were recorded. After modified inguinal lymphadenectomy, 8 early (6.8%) and 4 late (3.4%) complications were observed. There were a total of 110 dissections with no complications and 8 dissections with 1 or 2 complications. After radical inguinal lymphadenectomy, the morbidity increased with 24 early (41.4%) and 25 late (43.1%) complications, observed in only 18 of 58 radical procedures. Leg oedema was the most common late complication, interfering with ambulation in 13 cases (22.4%). CONCLUSION: Modified inguinal lymphadenectomy, with saphenous vein sparing and limited dissection offers excellent functional outcome in patients with invasive penile carcinoma and nonpalpable inguinal lymph nodes. The morbidity after radical lymphadenectomy still significant, especially in patients with multiple or bilateral superficial inguinal lymph nodes treated by pelvic and bilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy.     

髂腹股沟淋巴清扫对阴茎癌的治疗意义(附63例报告)

目的 探讨腹股沟淋巴结活检脑髂腹肌沟淋巴清扫在阴茎癌治疗中的作用.方法 报告1982年1月１９９７年７月收治的６３例陈茎癌的临床资料,在节切除阴茎原发病灶同时行无选择性双侧腹股沟淋巴结活检,并对淋巴结活检阳性者行双侧髂腹股沟淋巴清扫术。结果 １１例（１５侧）淋巴结活检阳性,１例假阴性。淋巴清扫后,原活检阴性侧髂腹股沟未见淋巴转移,阳性侧有１例,存在Ｃｌｏｑｕｅｔ淋巴结转移。结论 在切除阴茎癌肿的同时应作双     

The influence of the T stage on the risk of metastasis of penis cancer: T1 vs. T2

BACKGROUND: Controversies persist over the therapeutic approach to T1 penile carcinoma, particularly in patients with negative inguinal lymph nodes. Available data on lymph nodes metastases (LNM) in T1 carcinoma are contradictory. The aim of this study was to evaluate the metastatic risk of T1 carcinoma and to compare it with that of T2 carcinoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 37 patients (pts) with T1 or T2 tumors were reviewed. Assessment of the inguinal lymph node condition was based on node dissection in 29 pts and surveillance in eight pts (mean 62 months, range 22-162). RESULTS: Grading was classified as good (G1), moderate (G2) and poor (G3) in seven, 26 and four pts, respectively. Tumor stage was T1 in 21 and T2 in 16 pts. LNM were observed in eight of 21 T1 (38%) and six of 16 T2 tumors (38%). No G1 and all G3 tumors developed LNM independently of tumor stage. Ten of the 26 G2 carcinomas (38%) harboured LNM and seven of these pts (70%) had a T1 tumor. CONCLUSIONS: According to our data, the metastatic potential of T1 penile carcinoma has been underestimated in the recent literature. Tumor grading has a substantially stronger impact on the metastatic risk in T1 and T2 penile carcinoma than tumor stage, indicating a surgical lymph node staging starting at the pT1G2 stage.     

Lymphadenectomy of the inguinal region and pelvis]

The draining lymph nodes of extra-abdominal tumors and malignant lesions of the lower extremity are located in the groin and iliac region. Malignancies with lymphatic drainage into this region include tumors of the anorectum, penis and vulva, skin (melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma), and soft tissue sarcomas. Current clinical research in biology, routes of lymphatic spread, and the possibility of marking the sentinel lymph node has directed lymphadenectomy strategy toward differential procedures, depending on the type of underlying malignancy. The spectrum of lymphadenectomy includes diagnostic lymph node removal of clinically enlarged nodes, removal of the sentinel node, and radical lymphadenectomy. Lymphadenectomy can also be indicated as a palliative procedure. The indications also depend on the type of tumor, previous treatment, and disease prognosis. This review presents the current state of indications and surgical techniques of inguinal and iliacal lymphadenectomy.     

Lymphadenektomie der Leisten- und Beckenregion

The draining lymph nodes of extra-abdominal tumors and malignant lesions of the lower extremity are located in the groin and iliac region. Malignancies with lymphatic drainage into this region include tumors of the anorectum, penis and vulva, skin (melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma), and soft tissue sarcomas. Current clinical research in biology, routes of lymphatic spread, and the possibility of marking the sentinel lymph node has directed lymphadenectomy strategy toward differential procedures, depending on the type of underlying malignancy. The spectrum of lymphadenectomy includes diagnostic lymph node removal of clinically enlarged nodes, removal of the sentinel node, and radical lymphadenectomy. Lymphadenectomy can also be indicated as a palliative procedure. The indications also depend on the type of tumor, previous treatment, and disease prognosis. This review presents the current state of indications and surgical techniques of inguinal and iliacal lymphadenectomy.     

Robot-assisted video endoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy for melanoma

Inguinal lymphadenectomy is the indicated procedure in the regional lymph node management for patients with lower limb melanoma and positive nodes. This procedure is commonly associated with surgical site complications. Video endoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy is a minimally invasive alternative with oncological principles and lower wound-related morbidity. Incorporation of robotic surgery with optimal vision and great maneuverability would offer great advantages. A 42-year-old male patient was diagnosed with acral lentiginous melanoma and palpable inguinal nodes T2 N1 M0. The patient was scheduled for robot-assisted left inguinal video endoscopic lymphadenectomy. The working space is created using blunt-finger dissection and then extended with the endoscope by sweeping with the lens. Two 8-mm robotic trocars and a 10-mm trocar for assistant are placed. The lymphadenectomy is carried out with Maryland and scissors. The operative time was 130 min, estimated blood loss 70 ml and hospital stay 2 days. The robot-assisted inguinal video endoscopic lymphadenectomy is a safe and feasible procedure for lower limb melanoma treatment. The incorporation of the robotic system to this approach where there is a limited working space would offer advantages to the technique.     

Long-term followup of penile carcinoma treated with penectomy and bilateral modified inguinal lymphadenectomy

PURPOSE: We evaluated modified inguinal lymphadenectomy in the treatment of penile carcinoma, analyzing the rate of complications compared to complete inguinal lymphadenectomy, the complications in performing lymphadenectomy and penectomy concomitantly, and the long-term locoregional recurrence rate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 26 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the penis were clinically assessed, and underwent penectomy and bilateral modified inguinal lymphadenectomy at the same operative time. Frozen section analysis of lymph nodes was performed and if metastases were detected a complete ipsilateral inguinal dissection was performed. RESULTS: A total of 52 modified lymphadenectomies were performed. In 10 procedures lymph node metastasis was present. Clinical staging presented false-positive and false-negative rates of 50% and 7.9%, respectively. The complication rate for modified lymphadenectomy was 38.9% and for complete inguinal lymphadenectomy it was 87.5%. Followup ranged from 5 to 112 months and mean followup of recurrence-free cases was 78 months (range 38 to 112). A total of 18 patients underwent bilateral negative modified inguinal lymphadenectomy and 2 of these experienced locoregional recurrence within 2 years after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Modified inguinal lymphadenectomy causes a lower complication rate than complete inguinal lymphadenectomy. Bilateral modified inguinal lymphadenectomy performed at the same time as penectomy does not increase the complication rate. When frozen section analysis is negative bilaterally, 5.5% of inguinal regions might still harbor occult metastasis. Modified inguinal lymphadenectomy is recommended as a staging procedure in all patients with T2-3 penile carcinoma. A straight followup is required for 2 years since all recurrence was within this period.     

Diagnostic strategy for the assessment of axillary lymph node status in breast cancer

The nodal status in breast cancer is a major prognostic factor in terms of survival. It also plays a role in the therapeutic decision-making process. Therefore, the evaluation of lymph node involvement in breast cancer is imperative in establishing a personalized treatment scheme. The sentinel lymph node procedure has proved successful for small breast tumors (T1–T2), limiting axillary lymphadenectomy and its side effects without changing overall survival. Even so, a substantial number of women must undergo axillary lymphadenectomy during a second surgery when the analysis of the sentinel node discloses major nodal involvement. Imaging can improve patient selection, especially those who appear eligible for immediate axillary lymphadenectomy. Ultrasound is able to depict morphological abnormalities in the lymph nodes such as cortical thickening, peripheral vascularization, hilar infiltration and loss of the kidney-shaped appearance of a normal node. When ultrasound is negative, the risk of massive nodal involvement is limited, thus allowing the oncologist to take an approach with the sentinel lymph node procedure. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can also be useful in detecting pathological lymph nodes, particularly with diffusion-weighted MRI sequence.     

Nomogram predictive of pathological inguinal lymph node involvement in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the penis

PURPOSE: In penile cancer the therapeutic benefits of early inguinal lymphadenectomy must be counterbalanced by the high rates of morbidity, postoperative complications and mortality. A relevant aim is optimizing the selection of the patients who could really have the highest survival advantage from inguinal lymphadenectomy, limiting the cases in which this surgery might be considered over treatment with a risk of severe complications. We generated a nomogram estimating the risk of pathological inguinal lymph node involvement according to clinical lymph node stage and pathological findings of the primary tumor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively collected the clinical and pathological data of 175 patients who had undergone surgical therapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the penis from 1980 to 2002 at 11 urological centers in northeastern Italy. A logistic regression model was used to construct the nomogram. RESULTS: The presence of palpable groin lymph nodes and the histological findings of vascular and/or lymphatic embolization were important predictors of metastatic inguinal lymph node involvement. The nomogram predicting the risk of metastatic lymph node involvement showed a good concordance index (0.876) and good calibration. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical stage of groin lymph nodes and pathological findings of penectomy specimens allowed us to generate a nomogram to predict the probability of metastatic lymph node involvement in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the penis. The statistical model showed an excellent ability to identify the patients with lymph node metastases and good calibration.     

阴茎癌根治性髂腹股沟淋巴结清扫术的改进

目的:对根治性髂腹股沟淋巴结清扫手术进行改进,以完整清除淋巴结并减少术后并发症。方法:2003~2004年对20例阴茎鳞状细胞癌患者施行根治性腹股沟淋巴结清扫,其中5例还施行了髂淋巴结清扫。腹股沟区的清扫范围包括腹股沟浅组和深组淋巴结,采用暴露好的直切口,皮瓣厚度适中,切断大隐静脉且不转移缝匠肌。髂淋巴结清扫采用下腹正中切口,术后采用逐步降低的负压吸引促进引流和皮瓣愈合。结果:两侧腹股沟区淋巴结平均为21个,阳性淋巴结平均为1.6个。术后病理检查证实55%的患者有淋巴结转移,纠正了40%的术前分期。术后有1例出现高热和局部感染,另有27.5%的单侧腹股沟区域出现局部并发症,包括皮缘坏死、愈合延迟、皮下积液和淋巴瘘。无一例出现大面积皮片坏死和股血管损伤。结论:改进的根治性髂腹股沟淋巴结清扫手术保证了清扫范围,减少了手术并发症。     

The significance of inguinal lymphadenectomy in carcinoma of the penis

The occurrence of inguinal lymph node metastases from squamous cell carcinoma of the penis depends on local tumor extension, tumor grade, and vascular invasion. Whilst imaging techniques and fine needle biopsy can detect metastases to the inguinal nodes, resection of the superficial inguinal nodes remains the procedure of choice for diagnosis. The risk profile defined in the guidelines of the EAU is used to decide whether modified inguinal lymphadenectomy is indicated in the case of nonpalpable lymph nodes. Resection of the sentinel lymph node marked by (99)Tc and dye has not yet been adequately evaluated as an alternative to be accepted as the standard method.When the superficial inguinal lymph nodes are found to harbor metastases the next step is a radical bilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy. When metastases are found in two lymph nodes or extranodal tumor growth is observed, or imaging techniques reveal enlarged nodes in the pelvis the lymphadenectomy is extended to the pelvic nodes. With appropriate surgical technique and postoperative care the complication rate is low; in particular, persistent lymphedema of the legs is rarely observed. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy and the two combined have not been tested for efficacy, but are used individually before and after surgery, depending on the local tumor extent.     

Outcomes of Initial Surveillance of Invasive Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Penis and Negative Nodes

Purpose

We determined factors predictive of inguinal nodal relapse in patients with stages T1 to 3N0M0 squamous cell penile cancer treated initially with surveillance of inguinal nodes.

Materials and Methods

Between 1980 and 1994, in 42 patients with stages T1 to 3N0M0 squamous cell penile cancer of 60 with invasive disease seen at our center the inguinal nodes were surveyed after definitive treatment of the primary tumor. Clinical inguinal nodal recurrences were treated with inguinal lymphadenectomy.

Results

A total of 26 patients (62 percent) had inguinal nodal recurrences during followup, with 50 percent occurring within 1.4 years and 75 percent within 2.8 years of resection of the primary tumor. The only factor predicting nodal relapse was grade of the primary tumor at initial treatment. Patients with grade 1 tumors had a 45 percent long-term actuarial relapse-free survival rate. All other groups had a 100 percent actuarial nodal relapse rate. Of the patients 10 percent had metastatic disease without nodal recurrence.

Conclusions

Invasive penile cancer may be associated with inguinal lymph node and hematogenous metastasis. A strong case for prophylactic bilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy can be made in patients with primary tumors other than grade 1, since surveillance of these patients will not spare them eventual lymphadenectomy and may potentially compromise survival by delaying surgery. Patients with grade 1 tumors may be offered either careful surveillance or prophylactic bilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy depending on the clinical circumstances and patient preference.     

Role of lymph nodes in rectal carcinoma

The significance of the lymph nodes for the therapy and the prognostics of the rectal cancer are reviewed. Not only the depth of penetrations, but the probability of lymph node involvement (in our series tumors staged T1 had in 12% positive lymph nodes, T2 in 20% respectively, T3 in 37% and T4 in 80%) determine the possible surgical treatment. The available data of different techniques in lymphadenectomy and lymph node staging are compared and discussed. The aim of this paper is to give the oncologically interested the opportunity to pursue the actual questions and to inform themselves about the current standards in regard to the lymphatics in rectal cancer.     

Corpus cavernosum invasion and tumor grade in the prediction of lymph node condition in penile carcinoma.

Of the 101 patients with penile cancer, we have analyzed 66 from whom we had enough information: 42 (63.3%) patients with corpora cavernosa invasion (T2-3) and 24 (36.6%) without (T1). With respect to the tumor grade, in 36 (54.3%) patients it was well differentiated (G I), in 23 (34.8%) moderately (G II) and in 7 (10.6%) poorly differentiated (G III). We also analyzed the inguinal lymph node condition. Of the 66 patients, 28 (42.4%) developed nodal metastases, and 38 (57.6%) were considered free of nodal metastases and disease with an average follow-up of 76.2 months (range 38-192). The presence of metastatic nodes was influenced by both tumor stage and grade with significant differences between T2-3 and T1 (p = 0.001) and between G II-III and G I (p < 0.01), but each of them alone was not a sufficiently reliable predictive factor. In order to associate local stages and tumor grades in relation to the presence of metastatic nodes, we checked that none of the patients with T1, G I (group 1) developed nodal metastases, and therefore, 'wait and see' should be the suitable approach. Twenty (80%) of the patients with T2-3, G II-III (group 2) developed metastatic lymph nodes, thus, in this group, an early lymphadenectomy should be performed. In the remaining 22 patients with T1, G II-III and T2, G I (group 3), 8 (36.4%) showed metastatic lymph nodes; in this group, other factors such as age, cultural level and obesity should be taken into account when deciding on lymphadenectomy.     

Pelvic lymph node dissection for penile carcinoma: extent of inguinal lymph node involvement as an indicator for pelvic lymph node involvement and survival

PURPOSE: We identified pathological parameters of inguinal lymph node involvement with the aim of predicting pelvic lymph node involvement and survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 308 patients with penile carcinoma and adequate followup were included in this study. The outcome of 102 patients who underwent lymphadenectomy for lymph node metastases was analyzed further. Histopathological characteristics of the regional lymph nodes were reviewed including unilateral or bilateral involvement, the number of involved nodes, pathological tumor grade of the involved nodes, and the presence of extracapsular growth. RESULTS: Tumor grade of the involved inguinal lymph nodes (OR 6.0, 95% CI 1.2-30.3) and the number of involved nodes (2 or less vs more than 2) (OR 12.1, 95% CI 3.0-48.1) were independent prognostic factors for pelvic lymph node involvement. Extracapsular growth (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.1-4.8), bilateral inguinal involvement OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.2-9.4) and pelvic lymph node involvement (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.4-6.6) were independent prognostic factors for disease specific survival. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with only 1 or 2 inguinal lymph nodes involved without extracapsular growth and no poorly differentiated tumor within these nodes are at low risk of pelvic lymph node involvement and have a good prognosis with a 5-year survival rate of approximately 90%. Pelvic lymph node dissection seems to be unnecessary in these cases.     

Der Einfluss des T-Stadiums auf das Metastasierungsrisiko des Peniskarzinoms: T1 vs. T2

Background

Controversies persist over the therapeutic approach to T1 penile carcinoma, particularly in patients with negative inguinal lymph nodes. Available data on lymph nodes metastases (LNM) in T1 carcinoma are contradictory. The aim of this study was to evaluate the metastatic risk of T1 carcinoma and to compare it with that of T2 carcinoma.

Material and methods

A total of 37 patients (pts) with T1 or T2 tumors were reviewed. Assessment of the inguinal lymph node condition was based on node dissection in 29 pts and surveillance in eight pts (mean 62 months, range 22–162).

Results

Grading was classified as good (G1), moderate (G2) and poor (G3) in seven, 26 and four pts, respectively. Tumor stage was T1 in 21 and T2 in 16 pts. LNM were observed in eight of 21 T1 (38%) and six of 16 T2 tumors (38%). No G1 and all G3 tumors developed LNM independently of tumor stage. Ten of the 26 G2 carcinomas (38%) harboured LNM and seven of these pts (70%) had a T1 tumor.

Conclusions

According to our data, the metastatic potential of T1 penile carcinoma has been underestimated in the recent literature. Tumor grading has a substantially stronger impact on the metastatic risk in T1 and T2 penile carcinoma than tumor stage, indicating a surgical lymph node staging starting at the pT1G2 stage.     

Infralevator Lymphatic Drainage of Low-Rectal Cancers: Preliminary Results

Background  Some low-rectal cancers may spread into or recur in the inguinal lymph nodes despite optimal resection of the primary tumor. Hence, we hypothesized that lymphatic drainage of low-rectal malignancies may be inhomogeneous and that an extramesorectal route may be involved in at least some cases. The idea of our preliminary study was to analyze the potential lymphatic drainages in low-rectal cancer patients. Methods  The first stage of the experiment included two consecutive low-rectal adenocarcinoma patients (free from inguinal lymph node metastases), in whom the lymphatics of the primary tumor were traced with Patentbalu dye. During the second stage the records of 206 consecutive low-rectal cancer patients were analyzed for presence of inguinal lymph node metastases. Results  An evaluation of specimens from two rectal cancer patients revealed extramesorectal lymphatic drainage of the primary tumor besides the mesorectal route. An analysis of 206 patients revealed six cases of inguinal node metastases. Median age of patients was 55 years. They were all diagnosed with rectal adenocarcinoma, T3 or T4 tumors with G2 or G3 grade. Conclusion  The demonstration of an alternative route of lymphatic drainage suggests that more radical surgical procedures are necessary for successful treatment of low-rectal cancers.