Prognostic significance of retrieved lymph nodes per specimenin resected rectal adenocarcinoma after preoperative chemoradiation therapy

Number and Size of Lymph Nodes Recovered From Dukes B Rectal Cancers: Correlation with Prognosis and Histologic Antitumor Immune Response

“…[11][12][13][14][15] Our results confirm these prognostic observations, and utilizing multivariate survival analysis, we illustrate that the prognostic influence of lymph node recovery is independent of other covariates. We extend these findings further, by demonstrating the potential prognostic importance of lymph node size, which also was an independent indicator of prognosis within this population.…”

“…[4][5][6][7][8][9][10] Furthermore, other studies have shown that survival among patients with rectal cancers staged as Dukes B is directly related to the number of lymph nodes recovered from the resection specimen. [11][12][13][14][15] Variation in the retrieval of regional lymph nodes has been largely attributed to differences in surgical technique 12 and more often to inadequate pathologic examination. 9,10,16,17 Consequently, the role of biologic or tumor-related factors in influencing lymph node recovery remains largely unstudied.…”

Lymph Node Harvest After Proctectomy for Invasive Rectal Adenocarcinoma Following Neoadjuvant Therapy

“…6 As the standard of care for locally advanced rectal carcinoma (T3Y4 and/or N1Y2 stage), nCRT has recently been reported to reduce the number of lymph nodes retrieved. 4,8,9 Luna-Pérez et al 10 showed improved survival and decreased local recurrence in patients with at least 11 lymph nodes harvested, including patients with N+ or N0 status. This finding was confirmed by Beresford et al, 11 who observed decreased three-year survival rate in N0 patients with fewer than three nodes recovered.…”

“…4,8,9 However, there is no consensus regarding interpretation of the lymph node harvest in this setting. Although some studies in patients who received nCRT continue to support the theory that identifying more lymph nodes indicates better survival, 10,11 one study refutes the idea. 12 Therefore, a decreased lymph node harvest following proctectomy after nCRT may indicate either suboptimal surgery or a good neoadjuvant response.…”

The prognostic impact of the number of lymph nodes retrieved after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy with mesorectal excision for rectal cancer

“…Luna-Perez et al [31] studied 210 patients with rectal cancer who underwent preoperative chemoradiation with surgery, and these investigators suggested that a minimum of 11 lymph nodes from surgical specimens is required for accurate nodal staging and has prognostic significance in terms of a better 5-year survival and local recurrence. In this previous study, survival rates of patients with more than 11 nodes retrieved were compared with the survival of patients with 1-10 nodes retrieved, regardless of the presence of lymph node metastases.…”