Lymph Node Stations Research Articles

Feasibility of Regional Lymphadenectomy for Stomach-Preserving Surgery in Early Gastric Cancer Omitting Sentinel Node Navigation: A Post Hoc Analysis of the SENORITA Trial.

Sentinel node navigation (SNN) has been known as the effective treatment for stomach-preserving surgery in early gastric cancer; however, SNN presents several technical difficulties in real practice. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of regional lymphadenectomy omitting SNN, using the post hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial. Using data from the SENORITA trial that compared laparoscopic standard gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy and laparoscopic SNN, 237 patients who underwent SNN were included in this study. Tumor location was divided into longitudinal and circumferential directions. According to the location of the tumor, the presence or absence of lymph node (LN) metastases between sentinel and non-sentinel basins were analyzed. Proposed regional LN stations were defined as the closest area to the primary tumor. Sensitivities, specificities, positive predictive values, and negative predictive values (NPV) of SNN and regional lymphadenectomy were compared. Metastasis to non-sentinel basins with tumor-free in sentinel basins was observed in one patient (0.4%). The rate of LN metastasis to non-regional LN stations without regional LN metastasis was 2.5% (6/237). The sensitivity and NPV of SNN were found to be significantly higher than those of regional lymphadenectomy (96.8% vs. 80.6% [p=0.016] and 99.5% vs. 97.2% [p=0.021], respectively). This study showed that regional lymphadenectomy for stomach-preserving surgery, omitting SNN, was insufficient; therefore, SNN is required in stomach-preserving surgery.

Interval Metastases After Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy for Patients with Locally Advanced Esophageal Cancer: A Multicenter Observational Cohort Study

BackgroundDespite trimodality treatment, 10% to 20% of patients with esophageal cancer experience interval metastases after surgery. Restaging may identify patients who should not proceed to surgery, as well as a subgroup with limited metastases for whom long-term disease-control can be obtained. This study aimed to determine the proportion of patients with interval metastases after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) and to evaluate treatment and survival.MethodsPatients who had cT2-4aN0-3M0 esophageal cancer treated with nCRT were identified from a trial database. Metastases detected up to 14 weeks after nCRT on 18F-FDG-PET/CT or during surgery were categorized as oligometastases (≤3 lesions located in one single organ or one extra-regional lymph node station) or as non-oligometastases. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with metastases after nCRT. The secondary outcomes were overall survival (OS) and the site and treatment of metastases.ResultsBetween 2013 and 2021, 973 patients received nCRT, and 10.3% had interval metastases. Of 100 patients, 30 (30%) had oligometastases, located mostly in non-regional lymph nodes (33.3%) or bones (26.7%). The median OS of this group was 13.8 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 9.2–27.1 months). Of 30 patients, 12 (40%) with oligometastases underwent potentially curative treatment, with a median OS of 22.8 months (95% CI 10.4–NA). The patients with non-oligometastases underwent mostly systemic therapy or BSC and had a median OS of 9 months (95% CI 7.4–10.9 months).ConclusionsInterval metastases were detected in about 10% of patients after nCRT, underscoring the importance of re-staging with 18F-FDG-PET/CT for those who proceed to surgery. A favorable survival might be accomplished for a subgroup of patients with oligometastases.

Impact of preoperative inflammatory indices and postoperative pneumonia on postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: a retrospective study

BackgroundThis study aimed to evaluate the impact of preoperative inflammatory indices and postoperative pneumonia (POP) on postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.MethodsAll consecutive patients who underwent pulmonary resection at our hospital (January 2016-October 2019) were enrolled. Preoperative inflammatory indices, demographic data, surgical details, and postoperative conditions were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses of risk factors associated with POAF were also conducted.ResultsAmong the 382 patients included in the study, 32 (8.38%) developed POAF. Compared to non-POAF patients, POAF patients had greater incidence of POP (P = 0.09). Approximately 31 patients (96.9%) developed atrial fibrillation within three days after surgery. The POAF group had a significantly greater mean age (68.94 years) than did the non-POAF group (63 years) (P = 0.002). Additionally, compared to non-POAF patients, POAF patients exhibited an increased number of resected mediastinal lymph nodes (P < 0.001) and mediastinal lymph node stations (P < 0.001).The POAF group also had a greater intraoperative blood volume (P = 0.006), longer surgical duration (P = 0.022), and greater drainage volume (P = 0.003). IA/B stage (P < 0.001) and IIIA/B stage(P < 0.001), and lobectomy resection (P = 0.008) and wedge resection (P = 0.023) were also associated with POAF. Compared to those in the non-POAF group, the POAF group had longer postoperative hospital stays (10.54 days vs. 9 days; P = 0.001) and longer drainage times (7 days vs. 5 days; P = 0.004). Multivariate analysis revealed age, POP, and stage IIIA/B as independent influencing factors of POAF in NSCLC patients.ConclusionPreoperative inflammatory indices were not significantly associated with POAF, but age, POP, and stage IIIA/B were identified as independent influencing factors. Advanced-stage NSCLC patients may have a greater susceptibility to POAF than early-stage patients, although further validation is needed. Additionally, POAF was linked to a longer postoperative hospital stay.

Differences in the Prognostic Impact between Single-zone and Multi-zone N2 Node Metastasis in Patients with Station-based Multiple N2 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer suggest further subdivision of pathologic N (pN) stage in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by incorporating the location and number of involved lymph node (LN) stations. We reclassified patients with the station-based N2b disease into single-zone and multi-zone N2b groups and compared survival outcomes between the groups. This retrospective study included patients with pN2 NSCLC who underwent lobectomy from 2006 to 2019. The N2 disease was subdivided into four categories: single-station N2 without N1 (N2a1), single-station N2 with N1 (N2a2), multiple-station N2 with single zone involvement (single-zone N2b), and multiple-station N2 with multiple zone involvement (multi-zone N2b). LN zones included in the subdivision of N2 disease were upper mediastinal, lower mediastinal, aortopulmonary, and subcarinal. Among 996 eligible patients, 211 (21.2%), 394 (39.6%) and 391 (39.4) were confirmed to have pN2a1, pN2a2, and pN2b disease, respectively. In multivariable analysis after adjustment for sex, age, pT stage, and adjuvant chemotherapy, overall survival was significantly better with single-zone N2b disease (n=125, 12.6%) than with multi-zone N2b disease (n=266, 26.7%) (hazard ratio 0.67, 95% confidence interval 0.49-0.90, p<0.009) and was comparable to that of N2a2 disease (1.12, 0.83-1.49, p=0.46). Prognosis of single-zone LN metastasis was better than that of multiple-zone LN metastasis in patients with N2b NSCLC. Along with the station-based N descriptors, zone-based descriptors might ensure optimal staging, enabling the most appropriate decision-making on adjuvant therapy for patients with pN2 NSCLC.

Is the burden of metastatic lymph node stations a prognostic factor in patients with resected lung cancer?

ObjectivesThe burden of metastatic lymph node (LN) stations might reflect a distinct N subcategory with a more aggressive biology and behaviour than the traditional N classification.MethodsBetween 2008 and 2018, we analyzed 1236 patients with pN1/2 lung cancer. Survival was analyzed based on LN station metastasis, determining the optimal threshold for the number of metastatic LN stations that provided additional prognostic information. N prognostic subgrouping was performed using thresholds for the number of metastatic LN stations with the maximum chi-square log-rank value, and validated at each pT-stage.ResultsSurvival showed stepwise statistical deterioration with an increase in the number of metastatic LN stations., Threshold values for the number of metastatic LN stations were determined and N prognostic subgroupswas created as sN-alpha; one LN station metastases (n = 632), sN-beta; two-three LN stations metastases (n = 505), and sN-gamma; ≥4 LN stations metastasis (n = 99). The 5-year survival rate was 57.7% for sN-alpha, 39.2% for sN-beta, and 12.7% for sN-gamma (chi-square log rank = 97.906, p < 0.001). A clear tendency of survival deterioration was observed from sN-alpha to sN-gamma in the same pT stage, except for pT4 stage. Multivariate analysis showed that age (p < 0.001), sex (p = 0.002), tumour histology (p < 0.001), IASLC-proposed N subclassification (p < 0.001), and sN prognostic subgroups (p < 0.001) were independent risk factors for survival.ConclusionThe burden of metastatic LN stations is an independent prognostic factor for survival in patients with lung cancer. It could provide additional prognostic information to the N classification.

Feasibility of Using a Novel Drop-In Gamma Probe for 99m Tc-PSMA-I&S-Guided Lymph Node Detection During Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy for Primary Prostate Cancer.

Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted radioguided surgery (RGS) has gained increased interest in prostate cancer (PCa). This analysis aims to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and limitations of RGS with a novel drop-in gamma probe in primary PCa. The data of 13 patients with primary PCa undergoing RGS were analyzed retrospectively. After preoperative administration of 99m Tc-PSMA-I&S, a SPECT/CT was conducted and a robotic radical prostatectomy was performed the following day including intraoperative assessment of the lymph node stations using a novel robotic drop-in gamma probe. This was followed by an extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND) with ex vivo control measurement using the drop-in and a conventional rigid gamma probe. Eleven patients (median PSA value of 11 ng/mL) had high-risk and 2 patients had intermediate-risk PCa. Overall, a median of 22 ePLND lymph nodes were dissected. In 1 patient, preoperative SPECT/CT imaging showed suspicious lymph nodes, which could be confirmed intraoperatively with the robotic drop-in probe and subsequently in the final histopathological analysis. RGS failed to identify 2 patients with micrometastases (<3 mm) preoperatively and intraoperatively. No postoperative complications related to 99m Tc-PSMA-I&S RGS or ePLND occurred. RGS with the novel drop-in gamma probe and 99m Tc-PSMA-I&S allows for a reliable intraoperative screening for lymph node metastases in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy for primary PCa with an acceptable safety profile. However, limitations in the detection of micrometastases need to be overcome before omitting extended ePLND in patients at risk for lymphatic spread.

July 2024 Medical Image of the Month: Vocal Cord Paralysis on PET-CT

No abstract available. Article truncated after 150 words. A 60-year-old woman with a past medical history of hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, and a significant smoking history (40+ pack-years) presented with a 3-month history of hoarseness of voice as well as a 10 lb weight loss over a 5-month period. Chest CT revealed a spiculated left upper lobe nodule (Figure 1A). Additionally, there was evidence of bulky mediastinal and left hilar lymphadenopathy (Figure 1B). A subsequent 17-FDG PET-CT (Figure 2) demonstrated marked metabolic activity in the left upper lobe nodule with an SUV maximum of 9.1. Metabolically active mediastinal and left hilar lymphadenopathy was also noted with an SUV maximum of 5.9. Interestingly, increased metabolic activity of the right vocal cord compared to the left was noted on the PET scan (Figure 2B). Direct laryngoscopy, performed during intubation for a diagnostic bronchoscopy and endobronchial ultrasound, confirmed left vocal cord paralysis. EBUS sampling of multiple mediastinal hilar lymph node stations, including …

ASO Visual Abstract: Extent and Boundaries of Lymph Node Stations During Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy: A Survey Among Dutch Esophageal Surgeons.

ASO Visual Abstract: Extent and Boundaries of Lymph Node Stations During Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy: A Survey Among Dutch Esophageal Surgeons.

The characteristics of patients undergoing endobronchial ultrasonography-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA): single-center experience

Aims: We aimed to present the features of our Endobronchial ultrasonography-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) cases, the lymph nodes that were biopsied, their pathological diagnoses, and the complications that developed due to the procedure. Methods: All cases who underwent EBUS-TBNA between January 2016 and December 2023 in the chest diseases clinic of a training and research hospital were retrospectively screened. The patients who underwent the procedure (n=274) were included in the study. Cases in which fine needle aspiration biopsy was performed with EBUS-TBNA and the material obtained was not diagnostic (n=3) or in which the pathology result could not be obtained in the files (n=9) were excluded from the study. The design of our study was cross-sectional and planned as a descriptive study. Results: Of the 262 patients included in the analysis, 66.4% (n=174) were male and the average age of the population was 60.8±11.4 years. When EBUS-TBNA indications were evaluated, the procedure was performed for diagnostic purposes in 96.9% (n=254) and for re-evaluation after chemotherapy in 3.1%. EBUS-TBNA procedure was performed in 16.8% (n=44) patients due to mediastinal mass and in 83.2% (n=218) patients due to mediastinal lymphadenopathy. The most common stations where biopsy is performed with the EBUS-TBNA process are the subcarinal (7) and lower right paratracheal (4R) lymph node stations. When the biopsy results were evaluated, malignancy was reported in 54.6% (n=143) of the patients. The complications related to the EBUS-TBNA procedure were generally mild and trancient . Conclusion: EBUS-TBNA is a minimally invasive method used in the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer, the evaluation of non-endobronchial lesions, the diagnosis of benign diseases of the mediastinum, and the diagnosis of mediastinal metastases of extrathoracic malignancies. In experienced centers like our clinic, the diagnostic value of the procedure is high and the complication rates are very low.

Dosimetric comparison of nodal clinical target volume for locally advanced non‑small cell lung cancer: Options for geometric expansion vs. lymph node stations.

The purpose of the present retrospective study was to evaluate whether dosimetric differences existed in nodal clinical target volume (CTV) using options for geometric expansion and lymph node (LN) stations based on the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology guideline for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In the treatment planning computed tomographic images of 17 patients with cT4N2M0 NSCLC, nodal CTVs were contoured based on the guideline options of: i) Geometric expansion, with CTV including the nodal gross tumor volume plus 5 mm margin; and ii) LN stations, with CTV including the affected LN stations. Treatment planning of 60 Gy in 30 fractions was performed using volumetric modulated arc therapy; Dmean was the mean irradiated dose to the structure; and VnGy was the volume of the structure receiving ≥n Gy. Dose-volume parameters were compared between the two options. Consequently, the option of geometric expansion was associated with a significantly lower V60Gy and Dmean of the esophagus, V20Gy, V5Gy and Dmean of the lungs, and Dmean of the heart than the option of LN stations in all patients (P=0.017, P<0.001, P<0.001, P<0.001, P<0.001 and P=0.029, respectively). For the V20Gy of the lungs, the 8 patients (47%) with LN metastases in stations 2 or 3 had significantly larger differences in the values between the two options than the 9 patients (53%) without those metastases; the median values of the difference of V20Gy of the lungs between the two options were 2.8% (range, 0.2 to 9.6%) with LN metastases in stations 2 or 3 and 0.5% (range, -0.2 to 5.0%) without these metastases (P=0.027). In conclusion, using the option for geometric expansion might help reduce the V60Gy and Dmean of the esophagus, V20Gy, V5Gy and Dmean of the lungs, and Dmean of the heart in all patients, and the V20Gy of the lungs in patients with LN metastases in stations 2 or 3.

A comparison of three-port and four-port Da Vinci robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for lung cancer: a retrospective study

BackgroundAt present, research comparing the short-term postoperative outcomes of anatomical resection in lung cancer under different ports of da Vinci robot-assisted surgery is insufficient. This report aimed to compare the outcomes of three-port and four-port da Vinci robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for radical dissection of lung cancer.Methods171 consecutive patients who presented to our hospital from January 2020 to October 2021 with non-small cell lung cancer and treated with da Vinci robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for radical resection of lung cancer were retrospectively collected and divided into the three-port group (n = 97) and the four-port group (n = 74). The general clinical data, perioperative data and life quality were individually compared between the two groups.ResultsAll the 171 patients successfully underwent surgeries. Compared to the four-port group, the three-port group had comparable baseline characteristics in terms of age, sex, tumor location, tumor size, history of chronic disease, pathological type, and pathological staging. The three-port group also had shorter operation time, less intraoperative blood loss, lower chest tube drainage volume, shorter postoperative hospitalization stay durations, but showed no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05). Postoperative 24, 48 and 72 h visual analogue scale pain scores were lower in the three-port group (p < 0.001). No significant difference was observed between the two groups in the hospitalization costs (P = 0.664), number or stations of total lymph node dissected (p > 0.05) and postoperative respiratory complications (P > 0.05).ConclusionsThe three-port robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is safe and effective and took better outcomes than the four-port robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in non-small cell lung cancer.

Lu's approach for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

Lu's approach for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (LVATS), which derives from UVATS, is a novel surgical approach for VATS and carries out micro-innovation for lung cancer resection. The objective of this study is to elucidate the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of this novel surgical approach. The clinical data of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who underwent a curative thoracoscopic lobectomy between Mar. 2021 and Mar. 2022, were retrospectively collected, and analyzed. According to whether applied Lu's approach during the VATS operation, patients were divided into the LVATS group and the UVATS group. The propensity score (PS) matching method was used to reduce selection bias by creating two groups. After generating the PSs, 1:1 ratio and nearest-neighbor score matching was completed. Perioperative variables, including the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, lymph node stations dissected, total drainage volume, drainage duration, postoperative hospital stay, pain score (VAS, Visual Analogue Scale) on the postoperative first day (POD1) and third day (POD3), and incidence of postoperative complications, were compared between the two groups. The data were analyzed statistically with P<0.05 defined as statistically significant. A total of 182 patients were identified, among whom 86 patients underwent LVATS and 96 UVATS. Propensity matching produced 62 pairs in this retrospective study. There were no deaths during perioperative period. Patients in the LVATS group experienced a shorter operation time (88 (75, 106) VS 122 (97, 144)min, P <0.001), less intraoperative blood loss(20 (20, 30) VS 25 (20, 50)ml, P = 0.021), shorten incision length (2.50 (2.50, 2.50) VS 3.00 (3.00, 3.50)cm, P <0.001), and more drainage volume (460 (310, 660) VS 345 (225, 600)ml, P = 0.041) than patients in the UVATS group. There was not significant difference in the lymph node stations dissected(5 (4, 5) VS 5 (4, 5), P = 0.436), drainage duration (3 (3, 4) VS 3 (3, 4)days, P = 0.743), length of postoperative hospital stay (4 (4, 5) VS 4 (4, 6)days, P = 0.608), VAS on the POD1(4 (4, 4) VS 4 (4, 4), P = 0.058)and POD3 (3 (3, 4) VS 4 (3, 4), P = 0.219), and incidence of postoperative complications (P = 0.521) between the two groups. Lu's approach is a safe and feasible approach for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for the lobectomy of NSCLC. This approach can shorten surgical time, reduce incision length and intraoperative blood loss.

Mapping of lymph node metastasis from esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after neoadjuvant treatment: a prospective analysis from a high-volume institution in China.

The study aimed to describe the prevalence of lymph node metastases per lymph node station for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after neoadjuvant treatment. Clinicopathological variables of ESCC patients were retrieved from the prospective database of the Surgical Esophageal Cancer Patient Registry in West China Hospital, Sichuan University. A two-field lymphadenectomy was routinely performed, and an extensive three-field lymphadenectomy was performed if cervical lymph node metastasis was suspected. According to AJCC/UICC 8, lymph node stations were investigated separately. The number of patients with metastatic lymph nodes divided by those who underwent lymph node dissection at that station was used to define the percentage of patients with lymph node metastases. Data are also separately analyzed according to the pathological response of the primary tumor, neoadjuvant treatment regimens, pretreatment tumor length, and tumor location. Between January 2019 and March 2023, 623 patients who underwent neoadjuvant therapy followed by transthoracic esophagectomy were enrolled. Lymph node metastases were found in 212 patients (34.0%) and most frequently seen in lymph nodes along the right recurrent nerve (10.1%, 58/575), paracardial station (11.4%, 67/587), and lymph nodes along the left gastric artery (10.9%, 65/597). For patients with pretreatment tumor length of >4cm and non-pathological complete response of the primary tumor, the metastatic rate of the right lower cervical paratracheal lymph nodes is 10.9% (10/92) and 10.6% (11/104), respectively. For patients with an upper thoracic tumor, metastatic lymph nodes were most frequently seen along the right recurrent nerve (14.2%, 8/56). For patients with a middle thoracic tumor, metastatic lymph nodes were most commonly seen in the right lower cervical paratracheal lymph nodes (10.3%, 8/78), paracardial lymph nodes (10.2%, 29/285), and lymph nodes along the left gastric artery (10.4%, 30/289). For patients with a lower thoracic tumor, metastatic lymph nodes were most frequently seen in the paracardial station (14.2%, 35/247) and lymph nodes along the left gastric artery (13.1%, 33/252). The study precisely determined the distribution of lymph node metastases in ESCC after neoadjuvant treatment, which may help to optimize the extent of lymphadenectomy in the surgical management of ESCC patients after neoadjuvant therapy.

Extent and Boundaries of Lymph Node Stations During Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy: A Survey Among Dutch Esophageal Surgeons

BackgroundThe optimal extent of lymph node dissection (LND) and the anatomic boundaries per lymph node station (LNS) during minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) for esophageal cancer remain a topic of debate. This study investigated the opinion of Dutch esophageal cancer surgeons on their routine LND extent and anatomic boundaries per LNS during MIE.MethodsIn April 2023, an English web-based cross-sectional survey was conducted. In each of the 15 Dutch hospitals performing MIE, two MIE surgeons were asked to participate. The routine LND extent (quantity, specific LNS) for distal esophageal adenocarcinoma, (dis)agreement with the TIGER definition, and anatomic boundaries for each LNS in six directions were queried.ResultsThe survey was completed by 24 Dutch MIE surgeons (80% response rate). Consensus on the routine LND extent ( ≥ 85% of the participating surgeons) included the left and right paracardial, left gastric artery, celiac trunk, proximal splenic artery, common hepatic artery, subcarinal middle mediastinal paraoesophageal, lower mediastinal paraoesophageal, pulmonary ligament, and upper mediastinal paraoesophageal LNSs. Other LNSs were not widely considered routine. Although, certain anatomic boundaries were consistent among the surgeons, the majority varied, even when they agreed on the TIGER definition.ConclusionSignificant variations in surgical practice among Dutch esophageal surgeons regarding their routine extent of LND and anatomic boundaries of LNSs during MIE were demonstrated. Variation may have an impact on clinical outcomes, hampering uniform treatment strategies and hindering comparison of performance assessments. This study highlighted the need for an international follow-up study toward one uniform defined LND during MIE for esophageal cancer.

Spectral CT for preoperative diagnosis of N2 station lymph node metastasis in solid T1 non-small cell lung cancer

PurposeTo evaluate the diagnostic value of spectral CT for the preoperative diagnosis of N2 station lymph nodes metastasis in solid T1 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MethodFor this retrospective study, dual-phase contrast agent-enhanced CT was performed in patients with NSCLC from September 2019 to June 2023. Quantitative spectral CT parameters measurements were performed by 2 radiologists independently. Logistic regression analysis and Delong test were performed. Results60 NSCLC patients (mean age, 62.85 years ± 8.49, 44men) were evaluated. A total of 121 lymph nodes (38 with metastasis) were enrolled. There was no significant difference in the slope of the spectral Hounsfield unit curve (λHu) on arterial phase (AP) or venous phase (VP) between primary lesions and metastatic lymph nodes (P > 0.05), but significant difference in VP λHu between primary lesions and non-metastatic lymph nodes (P < 0.001). The CT40KeV, λHu, normalized iodine concentration (nIC), normalized effective atomic number (nZeff) measured during both AP and VP were lower in metastatic lymph nodes than in non-metastatic lymph nodes (all P < 0.05). Short-axis diameter (S) of metastatic lymph nodes was higher than non-metastatic lymph nodes (P < 0.001). Area under the curve (AUC) for S performed the highest (0.788) in diagnosing metastatic lymph nodes. When combined with VP λHu, VP nZeff, AUC increased to 0.871. ConclusionSpectral CT is a complementary means for the preoperative diagnosis of N2 station lymph nodes metastasis in solid T1 NSCLC. The combined parameters have higher diagnostic efficiency.

Phase II study of induction platinum doublet in combination with nivolumab followed by surgery or concurrent chemotherapy-nivolumab-radiation in unresectable stage IIIA-C non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

TPS8122 Background: For patients (pts) with stage IIIA-IIIC NSCLC, though standard of care chemo-radiation (XRT) followed by 1 year of durvalumab has improved 5 year overall survival (OS), fewer than 50% survive 5 years. In this study, we adopted the established neoadjuvant chemotherapy (chemo) plus nivolumab (nivo) CheckMate-816 regimens for resectable stage I(&gt;4cm)-IIIA yielding an increased complete pathologic response (pCR) rate and event free survival compared to chemo alone, as induction therapy in unresectable stage IIIA-IIIC NSCLC. The intent is to use induction chemo-nivo to treat pts traditionally considered unresectable (multi-station N2 or N3 disease) in order to downstage them enough to permit surgical resection. The study is structured to change (1) the immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) regimen to induction rather than consolidation which enables the chance to observe the systemic therapy’s efficacy, treat micro-metastatic disease earlier, and may decrease the morbidity of the ablative therapies (2) the ICI containing regimen by increasing from single agent ICI to combination chemo plus nivo which may improve systemic efficacy (3) the duration of treatment with pre and post ablative ICI containing therapy.Induction also provides a platform for studying tumor biology with the chance to discover surrogate markers of response and resistance to the induction regimen matched against response ahead of the definitive therapy. Methods: This is an investigator initiated trial for pts with newly diagnosed clinical stage IIIA-IIIC EGFR/ALK/ROS1 WT, SQ and NSQ NSCLC with PS 0-1. Pts must be able to tolerate surgery and have a primary tumor which is technically resectable with an N stage IIIA &gt; 2 or more lymph node (LN) stations positive. Pts are treated with the same platinum doublet plus nivo regimens used in CheckMate-816 for 3 cycles followed by repeat CT and repeat biopsy of all LN stations biopsied at baseline and LN stations which at baseline had a high suspicion of harboring disease and which look technically unresectable. If the cancer is down-staged to a single LN station-N2, or is N1 or N0, the pt is offered surgery with an option of post-operative XRT. If not sufficiently down-staged, pts are treated with definitive chemo-nivo-XRT. All pts receive 1 year of consolidation nivo. The primary outcome is response to the induction regimen by repeat CT scan. Secondary outcomes include the rate of converting non-surgical stage III(A-C) to surgically resectable disease, pCR rate, extent of post-induction XRT field decrease, 2-year progression free survival, OS, quality of life, and exploratory outcomes include markers of resistance and response, and remote symptom monitoring. Enrolment will be 37 pts. The study is accruing with a plan to open at a second site. Clinical trial information: NCT06003075 .

The lymph node will be my friend (easy). Careful dissection of lymph nodes in station 7 right until visualization of left main bronchus. Right interlobar lymph node dissection and removal allow for a safe fissure passage between A6 and A2, while avoiding V2.

The lymph node will be my friend (easy). Careful dissection of lymph nodes in station 7 right until visualization of left main bronchus. Right interlobar lymph node dissection and removal allow for a safe fissure passage between A6 and A2, while avoiding V2.

JCOG2002: A randomized phase III study of thoracic radiotherapy for extensive stage small cell lung cancer.

TPS8132 Background: Consolidative thoracic radiotherapy (cTRT) has shown a marginal improvement in overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) for extensive-stage small-cell cancer (ES-SCLC). Consequently, ASTRO and NCCN guidelines conditionally recommend the use of cTRT. Despite the recent establishment of anti-PD-L1 antibody (aPD-L1) combined with platinum-doublet chemotherapy as the standard first-line treatment for ES-SCLC, the impact of cTRT in the era of immunotherapy remains uncertain. Methods: The JCOG2002 study, a randomized, multicenter phase 3 trial, initiated in October 2021 to assess the superiority of additional cTRT in terms of OS for ES-SCLC following induction aPD-L1 plus platinum doublet chemotherapy. Eligibility patients must meet criteria for the first registration including ES-SCLC, no prior radiation or chemotherapy history, age 20 or older, ECOG performance status 0 or 1, and adequate organ function. Induction treatment involves atezolizumab + carboplatin + etoposide or durvalumab + cisplatin / carboplatin + etoposide. Responding patients proceed to the second registration, randomization (1:1 between 30 Gy in 10 fractions of cTRT plus aPD-L1 maintenance therapy and maintenance therapy only). The cTRT targets metastatic lymph nodes in stations #1-7 and ipsilateral stations #10-12 identified at diagnosis. The adjustment factors include response to induction treatment (CR/PR versus SD), presence of brain metastasis (yes versus no), participating institutions, and aPD-L1 type (atezolizumab versus durvalumab). The primary endpoint is OS, with secondary endpoints being PFS and safety. The study aims to enroll 240 randomized patients, with 330 in the first registration, providing 80 % power at a one-sided 5 % significance level to detect a hazard ratio of 0.69 with 3-year accrual period and 1-year follow-up. As of February 6, 2024, 239 patients initiated induction treatment, and 121 have been randomized. This trial is registered at Japan Registry of Clinical Trials as jRCTs031210393 (https://jrct.niph.go.jp/detail/jRCTs031210393). Clinical trial information: jRCTs031210393 .

Bi-institutional spline curve analysis of lymph node mapping in gallbladder cancer operated over 12 years: Impact of location and number of lymph nodal stations.

e16274 Background: Current staging system for gallbladder cancers (GBC) takes into account only the number of metastatic lymph nodes without addressing their location. The current study evaluates the prognostic impact of lymph node mapping (number and location) in node positive GBCs. Methods: Prospectively maintained operative database of GBC patients with positive lymph nodes were analysed from two tertiary cancer care centers in a retrospective cohort study design between April 2010 till March 2022. Nodal burden was assessed including both, the number of metastatic nodes and the lymph node station. Impact of lymph node ratio (LNR) and log odds of positive lymph nodes (LODDS) was evaluated using regression and spline curve analysis. Results: Amongst 1312 operated GBC patients, 272 patients with node positive disease were included. The median nodal yield was 8. The median LNR and LODDS was 0.222 and -0.48 respectively. The 5-year DFS and OS for patients with only cystic node metastases was 52.3% and 50.8% respectively (median: not reached), as compared to 24.6% and 35.2% for involvement of regional nodal stations beyond cystic nodes. Higher LODDS was associated with inferior DFS and OS when compared to the LNR. On multivariate analysis, multi-station involvement was the only factor associated with inferior DFS (p &lt; 0.001) and OS (p = 0.007). Conclusions: Station wise pathological assessment of lymph nodal involvement could potentially provide superior prognostic information, in addition to number of involved nodes. Involvement of cystic lymph node alone has relatively superior prognosis as compared to multi-station involvement.

Risk factors and clinical significance of lower perigastric lymph node metastases in Siewert type II and III esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma: a retrospective cohort study

BackgroundNo consensus has been concluded with regarding to the scope of lymph node (LN) dissection for Siewert type II and III adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG). This study aimed to explore risk factors for lower perigastric LN (LPLN) metastases (including no. 4d, 5, 6, and 12a LN stations) and analyze the indications for LPLN dissection.MethodsIn total, 302 consecutive patients with Siewert type II and III AEG who underwent total gastrectomy (TG) were enrolled. The logistic regression model was used to perform uni- and multivariate analyses of risk factors for LPLN metastases. Kaplan–Meier curves were used for survival analysis, and log-rank tests were used for group comparisons. Basing on the guidelines of Japanese Gastric Cancer Association, the LN metastases (LNM) as well as the efficiency index (EI) of each LN station was further evaluated.ResultsThe independent risk factors for LPLN metastases in patients with Siewert type II and III AEG were distance from the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) to the distal end of the tumor (> 4.0 cm), preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) ( +), pT4 stage, and HER-2 ( +). LPLN metastases was an independent risk factor for overall survival following TG. The LNM and EI of LPLN were 8.6% and 2.31%, respectively. The LNM of LPLN > 10% under the stratification of the distance from the EGJ to the distal end of the tumor (> 4.0 cm), pT4, preoperative CEA ( +), and HER-2 ( +) exhibited EI values of 3.55%, 2.09%, 2.51%, and 3.64%, respectively.ConclusionsLPLN metastases was a malignant factor for the prognosis of patients with Siewert type II and III AEG. For patients with preoperative CEA ( +), pT4 stage, HER-2 ( +), and the distance from the EGJ to the distal end of the tumor (> 4.0 cm), TG with LPLN dissection is prioritized for clinical recommendation.