scholarly journals Clinicopathological Factors Influencing Lymph Node Yield in Colorectal Cancer: A Retrospective Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Orsenigo ◽  
Giulia Gasparini ◽  
Michele Carlucci

Many colorectal resections do not meet the minimum of 12 lymph nodes (LNs) recommended by the American Joint Committee on Cancer for accurate staging of colorectal cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate factors affecting the number of the adequate nodal yield in colorectal specimens subject to routine pathological assessment. We have retrospectively analysed the data of 2319 curatively resected colorectal cancer patients in San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, between 1993 and 2017 (1259 colon cancer patients and 675 rectal cancer patients plus 385 rectal cancer patients who underwent neoadjuvant therapy). The factors influencing lymph node retrieval were subjected to uni- and multivariate analyses. Moreover, a survival analysis was carried out to verify the prognostic implications of nodal counts. The mean number of evaluated nodes was 24.08±11.4, 20.34±11.8, and 15.33±9.64 in surgically treated right-sided colon cancer, left-sided colon cancer, and rectal tumors, respectively. More than 12 lymph nodes were reported in surgical specimens in 1094 (86.9%) cases in the colon cohort and in 425 (63%) cases in the rectal cohort, and patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiation were analysed separately. On univariate analysis of the colon cancer group, higher LNs counts were associated with female sex, right colon cancer, emergency surgery, pT3-T4 diseases, higher tumor size, and resected specimen length. On multivariate analysis right colon tumors, larger mean size of tumor, length of specimen, pT3-T4 disease, and female sex were found to significantly affect lymph node retrieval. Colon cancer patients with 12 or more lymph nodes removed had a significantly better long-term survival than those with 11 or fewer nodes (P=0.002, log-rank test). Rectal cancer patients with 12 or more lymph nodes removed approached but did not reach a statistically different survival (P=0.055, log-rank test). Multiple tumor and patients’ factors are associated with lymph node yield, but only the removal of at least 12 lymph nodes will reliably determine lymph node status.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e15160-e15160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nelleke Pietronella Maria Brouwer ◽  
Rutger Carel Hubert Stijns ◽  
Lemmens Valery ◽  
Iris D. Nagtegaal ◽  
Regina GH Beets-Tan ◽  
...  

e15160 Background: Clinical lymph node staging by MRI and CT is important in stratification for neoadjuvant therapy in colorectal cancer. Overstaging may result in unnecessary neoadjuvant therapy, but understaging may refrain patients from adequate preoperative treatment. This study aims to provide insight in current daily practice in clinical lymph node staging in CRC in the Netherlands. Methods: All patients with primary CRC, diagnosed between 2003-2014, who underwent lymph node dissection were selected from the nationwide population-based Netherlands Cancer Registry (n=100,211). Trends in patient- and tumor-characteristics, and lymph node staging were analyzed. For the years 2011-2014, sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated for clinical lymph node staging, with histology as the gold standard. Only patients without preoperative treatment were analyzed. Since prospective studies have shown that 5x5 Gy radiotherapy (RT) followed by total mesorectal excision within 10 days does not lead to nodal downstaging, an additional analysis was performed in this group. Results: The proportion clinically positive lymph nodes increased significantly between 2003-2014; from 7% to 22% for colon cancer and from 7% to 53% for rectal cancer. The proportion histological positive lymph nodes remained fairly stable over time (±35% colon, ±33% rectum). During 2011-2014, clinical lymph node staging was available in the registry in 86% of colon cancer patients, 92% of rectal cancer patients without neoadjuvant treatment and 95% of rectal cancer patients with 5x5 Gy RT. The parameters based on data from this period are presented in table 1. Conclusions: With a sensitivity and PPV of approximately 50%, clinical lymph node staging is about as accurate as flipping a coin. This leads to overtreatment in patients with rectal cancer with neoadjuvant RT. Acceptable specificity and NPV limit the risk of undertreatment. [Table: see text]


2020 ◽  
pp. 106689692097550
Author(s):  
Chih-Ching Yeh ◽  
Chan-Feng Pan ◽  
Hung-Wei Liu ◽  
Jung-Chia Lin ◽  
Lu-Han Fang ◽  
...  

College of American Pathologists recommended that at least 12 lymph nodes should be harvested for adequate staging of colorectal carcinoma. Lymph node harvesting is routinely performed by a manual technique of inspection and palpation, which is laborious and time-consuming. The study assessed the influence of the improved fat-clearing technique on the number of lymph nodes retrieved from colorectal cancer specimens and the clinical efficacy. Seventy colorectal cancer resection specimens were examined and assessed by 4 pathology residents. Thirty-five specimens were handled with the conventional manual technique by inspection and palpation, and the other 35 specimens with the improved fat-clearing technique to retrieve lymph nodes. As a result, compared with the conventional manual technique, the numbers of lymph nodes retrieved with the improved fat-clearing technique were significantly increased from 14.7 ± 6.2 lymph nodes to 20.8 ± 9.0 lymph nodes per specimen ( P < .05). Besides, the percentage of cases with at least 12 lymph nodes retrieved increased from 80% to 91%. The result of this study pointed out that using the improved fat-clearing technique to process colorectal specimens could increase the lymph node yield effectively, and was effective, practical, and suitable for routine gross examination.


2018 ◽  
Vol 84 (6) ◽  
pp. 996-1001
Author(s):  
Matthew G. Mullen ◽  
Puja M. Shah ◽  
Alex D. Michaels ◽  
Taryn E. Hassinger ◽  
Florence E. Turrentine ◽  
...  

Adequate lymphadenectomy is associated with improved survival in patients who undergo oncologic resection of colorectal cancer and has been identified as a quality metric. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy has been found to be associated with collection of <12 lymph nodes in patients with rectal cancer. The purpose of this study was to evaluate patient and operative risk factors for inadequate lymph node retrieval during oncologic colectomy. The 2014 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Participant Use File data set for oncologic colectomy (n = 9077) was analyzed. Patient- and operation-related factors were assessed by univariate and multivariate regression analyses to determine factors associated with the number of lymph nodes collected. Adequate lymphadenectomy was defined by collection of >12 lymph nodes. Of 9077 patients with a diagnosis of colon cancer who underwent colectomy, a minimum of 12 lymph nodes was harvested in 7897 (87%). Significant factors independently associated with inadequate lymphadenectomy included preoperative chemotherapy, emergent surgery, and T1 tumors (all P < 0.05). A large majority of patients who undergo colectomy for colon cancer have at least 12 lymph nodes collected. Preoperative chemotherapy is a major risk factor for inadequate lymph node retrieval. Recognition of factors associated with inadequate lymphadenectomy may improve colectomy lymph node yield and survival in patients with colon cancer.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tong-Hui Xie ◽  
Peng Su ◽  
Jian-Guo Hong ◽  
Hui Zhang

Abstract Background Colorectal cancer is a very common malignant tumor worldwide. The clinical manifestations of advanced colorectal cancer include the changes in bowel habits, hematochezia, diarrhea, local abdominal pain and other symptoms. However, the colorectal cancer with an initial symptom of cervical lymph node enlargement is extremely rare. In this article, we report a case of rectal cancer presenting with cervical lymph nodes enlargement as the initial symptom. Case presentation A 57-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for cervical lymph node enlargement which was accidentally detected during physical examination. Computed tomography scan revealed multiple enlarged lymph nodes in the neck. Cervical ultrasound showed normal thyroid gland and multiple left supraclavicular lymph nodes enlargement. The patient underwent lymph nodes biopsy and pathologic results showed metastatic adenocarcinoma. The subsequent lower gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a mucosal bulge lesion located at rectus and biopsy revealed adenocarcinoma. The patient underwent rectal cancer resection. She is alive with no evidence of recurrence or new tumors 2 years after surgery. Conclusions Cervical lymph node metastasis is a rare metastatic way in colorectal cancer. This is the first case of rectal cancer presenting with cervical lymph nodes metastases as the initial symptom. Surgical resection combined with postoperative chemotherapy improved long-term prognosis of the patient. This rare metastatic way of rectal cancer should be paid attention for clinicians.


2005 ◽  
Vol 29 (9) ◽  
pp. 1172-1175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Bembenek ◽  
Ulrike Schneider ◽  
Stephan Gretschel ◽  
Joerg Fischer ◽  
Peter M. Schlag

2020 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
pp. 793-800 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Li Destri ◽  
Andrea Maugeri ◽  
Alice Ramistella ◽  
Gaetano La Greca ◽  
Pietro Conti ◽  
...  

Abstract According to the American Joint Committee on Cancer, at least 12 lymph nodes are required to accurately stage locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). Neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (NACRT) reduces the number of lymph nodes retrieved during surgery. In this study, we evaluated the effect of NACRT on lymph node retrieval and prognosis in patients with LARC. We performed an observational study of 142 patients with LARC. Although our analysis was retrospective, data were collected prospectively. Half the patients were treated with NACRT and total mesorectal excision (TME) and the other half underwent TME only. The number of lymph nodes retrieved and the number of metastatic lymph nodes were significantly reduced in the NACRT group (P > 0.001). In the univariate and multivariate analyses, only NACRT and patient age were significantly associated with reduced lymph node retrieval. The number of metastatic lymph nodes and the lymph node ratio (LNR) both had a significant effect on prognosis when the patient population was examined as a whole (P = 0.003 and P = 0.001, respectively). However, the LNR was the only significant, independent prognostic factor in both treatment groups (P = 0.007 for the NACRT group; P = 0.04 for the no-NACRT group). NACRT improves patient prognosis only when the number of metastatic lymph nodes is reduced. The number of metastatic lymph nodes and the LNR are important prognostic factors. Lymph node retrieval remains an indispensable tool for staging and prognostic assessment of patients with rectal carcinoma treated with NACRT.


2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 6524-6524
Author(s):  
B. Curley ◽  
M. A. O'Grady ◽  
S. Litwin ◽  
K. Stitzenberg ◽  
H. Armitage ◽  
...  

6524 Background: The retrieval of ≥12 lymph nodes in a colorectal cancer surgical specimen is an established quality metric. The impact of targeted education to improve nodal yield at community hospitals has not been studied. We initiated an intensive educational program through the Fox Chase Cancer Center Partner (FCCCP) hospitals to improve nodal retrieval in colon cancer specimens. Methods: At 12 FCCCP community hospitals from 2004–05, educational initiatives were conducted by FCCC staff and included group presentations at hospital tumor boards, cancer and quality committees, and regional CME. Individual presentations to pathologists and surgeons were held. Tumor registry data were retrospectively collected from FCCCP from 2003 (pre-intervention) to 2006 (post-intervention) for patients undergoing curative colon cancer surgery. Data abstracted were age, sex, race, stage, surgical procedure, and total number of nodes examined. The primary end point was % surgical specimens with ≥12 lymph nodes. Obtaining at least 250 records per year would allow ≥90% power to detect a change from a baseline level of ∼40% to ≥50% after intervention. Results: Data from 4,208 patients from 12 FCCCP hospitals were collected. Overall characteristics: male/female (48%/52%), race (W 83%, AA 7%, other 10%), age (<50:6%, 50–70: 34%, >70:60%), node ± (39%/61%). The % of colon cancer operations with ≥12 nodes significantly increased over the four years of the study (Table, p<.00001). This difference persisted when pooling years before and after the intervention (2003–04 vs. 2005–06, p <0.0001). There was no difference in nodal yield between two pre-intervention years (2003 vs. 2004, p=0.1). No differences in other characteristics such as age, sex, race, or % lymph node positive were noted between years. Conclusions: A multi-intervention targeted educational initiative in a large community cancer network is feasible and associated with increased colon cancer nodal retrieval. [Table: see text] No significant financial relationships to disclose.


2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e15058-e15058
Author(s):  
L. Kowalczyk ◽  
P. Shah ◽  
T. George ◽  
L. Lu ◽  
G. Sarosi ◽  
...  

e15058 Background: The National Quality Forum has endorsed the 12 lymph node (LN) benchmark as a quality metric. Currently, less than 40% of institutions meet this requirement. The purpose of this study was to determine whether implementation of a simple pathology template with dedicated fields for LN reporting led to an increase in the number of colon cancer resections where >12 LNs were reported. Methods: A simple pathology template, derived from the College of American Pathology, using standardized terminology and dedicated fields for LN reporting was implemented in August 2007. Using a pre and post- test design, all consecutive pathology cases were retrospectively reviewed. Inclusion criteria consisted of all stage 0-IV colon cancer patients who underwent surgical resection at a single Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The primary outcome was the percentage of cases in which >12 LNs were assessed between the pre and post-template group. Age, gender, anatomic location, and stage were also collected. Statistical comparisons were made using chi-square and Fisher's exact t-test. Results: 111 pre-template and 71 post-template cases were analyzed. The majority of patients were Caucasian (74%) males (97%). There were no significant differences between the two groups (see Table 1 ), however there was a trend towards more right-sided colon cancers in the pre-template group. 51% of all pre-template pathology reports evaluated >12 LNs compared to 68% of post-template reports (33% improvement in LN yield; p=0.03). Conclusions: Examination of >12 LNs has important therapeutic and prognostic implications in colon cancer patients. Use of a standardized pathology template with dedicated fields for LN reporting is a simple intervention that can increase yield of LN reporting. This can have a significant impact for institutions striving to reach the 12 LN quality metric. [Table: see text] No significant financial relationships to disclose.


2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e14114-e14114
Author(s):  
Justin Y Jeon ◽  
Deok Hyun Jeong ◽  
Min Keun Park ◽  
Jennifer A. Ligibel ◽  
Jeffrey A. Meyerhardt ◽  
...  

e14114 Background: Background: Conflicting results have been reported whether pre diagnosis diabetes mellitus (DM) influence survival of colorectal cancer patients or not. Therefore, we determine the influence of DM on long-term outcomes of stage 1-3 patients with resected colon and rectal cancer. Methods: This prospective study include a total of 4,131 participants who were treated for cancer between 1995 and 2005 in South Korea in a single hospital (Non DM: 3,614 patients, DM: 517 patients) with average follow up period of 12 years. We analyzed differences in all cause mortality, disease free survival (DFS), recurrence free survival (RFS) and colorectal cancer-specific mortality between colorectal patients with DM and those without DM. Results: After adjustment for potential confounders, pre-diagnosis DM significantly associated with increased all cause mortality (HR: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.11-1.92), and recurrence free survival reduced DFS (HR: 1.45, 95%CI: 1.15-1.84) and RFS (HR: 1.32, 95% CI: 0.98-1.76) in colon cancer patients but not in rectal cancer patients. In colon cancer patients, DM negatively affects the survival outcome of proximal colon cancer (HR: 2.08, 95%CI: 1.38-3.13), but not of distal cancer (HR:1.34, 95% CI: 0.92-1.96). Conclusions: To our knowledge, the current study first reported the effects of pre-diagnosis DM on survival outcome of colorectal cancer are site specific (proximal colon, distal colon and rectum). The current study was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (KRF) (No. 2011-0004892) and the National R&D Program for Cancer Control, Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea (1120230). [Table: see text]


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