Lymph Nodes In Surgical Specimen Research Articles

A new fat-dissociation method to detect lymph nodes in colorectal cancer: a prospective randomized study

Histological examination of the lymph nodes (LNs) is crucial to determine the colorectal cancer (CRC) stage. We previously reported a new fat-dissociation method (FM) to detect LNs from surgically resected mesentery. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of FM compared with that of conventional palpation method (PM) in CRC. This single-center, open-label, randomized controlled study was performed at Osaka International Cancer Institute in Japan in 2014. Randomization was performed using a computer-generated permuted-block sequence. Patients were stratified by surgical procedures and the LN dissection area. The primary endpoint was the time required for LN identification. The secondary endpoint was the number of LNs and 5-year cancer-specific survival. The 130 enrolled patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to the FM and the PM groups. LN identification times were 45 (range 15–80) and 15 (range 7–30) minutes in the PM and the FM groups, respectively (P < 0.001). In the PM group, body mass index and identification time were correlated (P = 0.047). The number of LN which could be examined pathologically was 16 (range 2–48) and 18 (range 4–95) in the PM and FM groups, respectively (P = 0.546). In right-sided CRC, the number of LNs was higher in the FM group than in the PM group (P = 0.031). Relapse-free survival rates and cancer-specific survival rates did not differ between the groups. In conclusion, FM reduced the time required for LN detection without reducing the number of detected LNs, making it is a useful method to detect LNs in surgical specimens.

Adjuvant chemotherapy for stage II colon cancer: who really needs it.

BackgroundAlthough there is evidence that failure to reach the baseline of 12–13 lymph nodes in resected specimens is related to poor prognosis of patients with stage II colon cancer, and may be a marker of adjuvant therapy, the use of these markers remains controversial. The objective of this study was to determine the advantage of chemotherapy treatment in patients with stage II colon cancer on the basis of the number of lymph nodes examined in radical surgery.Patients and methodsUsing monitoring, epidemiology, and final outcome Medicare database, we authenticated 9,651 patients aged ≥66 years diagnosed with resected stage II colon cancer from 1999 to 2004. Medical insurance claims determined the adoption of chemotherapy within 3 months after radical operation. The relation between patient/tumor characteristics (including the number of lymph nodes examined) and the use of adjuvant chemotherapy was tested using chi-squared test and multiple logistic regression. Multivariate Cox model was used to compare survival rates between the treatment and untreated groups.ResultsMost patients (54.8%) had only 1–12 lymph nodes examined, while only 41.6% of the patients had >12 lymph nodes examined. Overall, 20.9% of patients received adjuvant chemotherapy; there was no relationship between chemotherapy and the number of lymph nodes examined (P=0.984). The presence of 12 or fewer lymph nodes in surgical specimens was related to poor overall survival (OS; adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.31, 95% CI 1.21–1.41). Although adjuvant chemotherapy was related to our cohort improvement, its beneficial effects on OS (HR: 0.73; 95% CI: 0.64–0.83) and disease-free survival (HR: 0.71; 95% CI: 0.60–0.85) only existed in patients with 0–12 lymph nodes examined.ConclusionThe presence of 12 or fewer lymph nodes in surgical specimens is related to poor prognosis and survival benefit in adjuvant chemotherapy for stage II colon cancer patients. More attention should be paid to the implementation of recommendations for lymph node dissection to help identify patients who really benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy after colectomy.

Less than 12 lymph nodes in the surgical specimen after neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy: an indicator of tumor regression in locally advanced rectal cancer?

The number of lymph node retrieved in the surgical specimen is important for tumor staging and has paramount impact on prognosis in colorectal cancer and imitates the adequacy of lymph node surgical clearance. The paucity of lymph node yields in patients undergoing resection after preoperative chemo radiotherapy (CRT) in rectal cancer has seen. Lower total number of lymph nodes in the total mesoractal excision (TME) specimen after CRT, could a marker of better tumor response. We retrospectively reviewed the prospectively managed data of patients underwent excision for rectal cancer, who treated by neoadjuvant radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer. From 2010 to 2014, 364 patients underwent rectal cancer surgery, of which ninety-one treated with neoadjuvant treatment. Standard surgical and pathological protocols were followed. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the number of total harvested lymph nodes with group 1, having 12 or more nodes harvested, and group 2 including patients who had <12 lymph nodes harvested. The total number of lymph nodes retrieved from the surgical specimen was correlated with grade of tumor regression with neoadjuvant treatment. Out of 91 patients, 38 patients (42%) had less than 12 lymph nodes examined in specimen. The difference in median number of lymph nodes was observed significantly as 9 (range, 2-11) versus 16 (range, 12-32), in group 2 and 1, respectively (P<0.01). Patients with fewer lymph node group were comparable with respect to age, BMI, pre-operative staging, neoadjuvant treatment. Pathological complete response in tumor pCR was seen with significantly higher rate (40% vs. 26%, P<0.05) in group 2. As per Mandard criteria, there was significant difference in tumor regression grade (TRG) between both the groups (P<0.05). Among patients with metastatic lymph nodes, median LNR was lower in <12 lymph nodes group at 0.167 (range, 0.09-0.45) versus 0.187 (range, 0.05-0.54), difference was not statistically significant (P=0.81). Retrieval of fewer than 12 lymph nodes in surgical specimen of rectal cancer who had received neo-adjuvant radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy should be considered as a good indicator of tumor response with better local disease control, and a good prognostic factor, rather than as a pointer of poor diligence of the surgical and pathological assessment.

Tu1907 Impact of Using a Revealing Solution of Lymph Nodes in Surgical Specimens on the Pathological Staging of Gastric Carcinoma

Tu1907 Impact of Using a Revealing Solution of Lymph Nodes in Surgical Specimens on the Pathological Staging of Gastric Carcinoma

Perioperative management of patients with distal esophagus and gastroesophageal junction tumors: Three years of results.

e14631 Background: In patients with operable gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma, a perioperative regimen ECF significantly improved survival (MAGIC trial - Cunnigham 2006) and has been accepted as standard treatment option. In our study we present experience with modified MAGIC protocol in patients with lower esophagus or GE junction tumors. Methods: 67 patients (pts) (60 men, 7 women), median age 59 years (37-74), with resectable adenocarcinoma in lower esophagus or gastroesophageal junction were included in period 01 Mar 2008 – 15 Jun 2010. Fifty one (76%) pts had clinical stage nodal positive. Chemotherapy (CT) consisted of three preoperative and three postoperative cycles of intravenous epirubicin (50 mg/m2) and cisplatin (60 mg/m2) on day 1, and a continuous infusion of fluorouracil (200 mg/m2 per day) for 21 days or oral capecitabine 1000 mg/m2 for 14 days. Postoperative radiochemotherapy (CRT) with fluorouracil or capecitabine after the end of CT was indicated in pts with two and more positive lymphnodes in surgical specimen if feasible. Results: Preoperative CT completed 64 (94%) pts, 52 (78%) had surgery, 46 (69%) had radical resection with 3 cases of complete pathological response, 22 pts had pN0 and 21 pts pN plus finding. Postoperative CT was started in 39 (58%) pts and was completed in 32 (48%) pts. 10 (22%) pts had postoperative CRT. Adverse events grade 3-4 were: neutropenia 10%, vomiting 8%, fatigue 5%, diarrhea 3%. Reasons for omitting surgery in 15 (22%) pts were: progression in 7 pts, medically unfit in 4 pts, other in 4 pts. With a median follow-up of 31 months (17-47) there were recurrences in 35 (52%) of all pts, in 5 (7%) pts locoregional only, in 7 (11%) distal plus locoregional and in 23 (34%) pts distal metastases. Recurrence rate in radically resected pts was 39%, in patients with pN0 28% and in pN1 86%, despite adding CRT. Thirty one patients are alive with 3-year survival 46%. Conclusions: Perioperative chemotherapy ECF/ECCap in our set was feasible and well tolerated. Patients with node positive postoperative stage had poor prognosis, despite completing adjuvant treatment including postoperative CRT. This work was supported by grant NO: IGA MZ(CR) NT/12331-5/2011.

Análise comparativa inicial de critérios oncológicos de 120 pacientes submetidos a cirurgias colorretais por via laparotômica (60 pacientes) e por via videolaparoscópica (60 pacientes) para câncer colorretal no Programa de Pós-graduação sensu lato pelo Grupo de Coloproctologia de Belo Horizonte

O objetivo do trabalho foi proceder a uma revisão criteriosa de uma casuística de 120 pacientes portadores de câncer colorretal operados por via videolaparoscópica (grupo-Video, 60 pacientes) e por via laparotômica (grupo-Lap, com 60 pacientes), no decurso de 12 meses (maio de 2009 a maio de 2010). A média etária foi de 58 anos, sendo 58,8 anos no grupo-Lap e 57,3 no grupo-Video, e a maioria era do sexo feminino em ambos os grupos (grupo-Lap - 55,0% e grupo-Video - 61,7%, com média de 58,3 anos). Todos os pacientes de ambos os grupos foram submetidos à colonoscopia e biópsia, com diagnóstico histopatológico de adenocarcinoma. Na distribuição dos tumores pelo intestino grosso no grupo-Lap, 43 se localizavam no reto e sigmoide (71,7%) contra 45 no grupo-Video (75,0%), mas com diferenças entre reto baixo (grupo-Lap, 13,3%; grupo-Video, 16,7%) e alto (grupo-Lap, 30,0%; grupo-Video, 16,7%), sigmoide e retossigmoide (grupo-Lap, 28,4%; grupo-Video, 41,6%). As cirurgias mais realizadas foram as retossigmoideCtomias abdominais altas (grupo-Lap, 27 casos, 45,0%; grupo-Video, 33 casos, 55,0%), seguidas pelas hemicolectomias direitas com anastomose íleo-transverso (grupo-Lap, 16 casos, 26,6%; e grupo-Video, 13 casos, 21,7%). As extensões das peças cirúrgicas foram maiores no grupo-Lap (média de 46,1 cm contra 30,0 cm no grupo-Video) em decorrência de maior número de cirurgias que resultaram peças de grandes dimensões. Quando se comparam as mesmas técnicas cirúrgicas, a diferença não persiste, como nos casos das retossigmoidectomias (grupo-Lap com 32 casos, média de 28,2 cm; grupo-Video com 39 casos, com média de 26,6 cm). No tocante à gradação TNM dos tumores, a gradação T3N0M0 foi a mais comum: grupo-Lap com 30 casos (50,0%) e grupo-Video com 35 casos (58,4%). No tocante à contagem de linfonodos nas peças cirúrgicas, nenhuma diferença foi notada: total de 810 linfonodos no grupo-Lap, com média de 13,5 linfonodos por peça, e total de 862 linfonodos no grupo-Video, com média de 14,3 linfonodos por peça. Não houve diferença também no tocante à contagem de linfonodos nas peças cirúrgicas, mais comuns entre 11 e 15: 34 casos no grupo-Lap (56,7%) e 38 no grupo-Video (63,3%). Assim, nenhuma diferença foi notada entre os dois grupos (grupo-Lap e grupo-Video) no tocante aos critérios oncológicos cirúrgicos.

Diferença entre hospitais privado e universitário na taxa de linfonodos de peça cirúrgica de câncer colorretal: o papel do patologista

Tem sido demonstrado que o número de linfonodos obtidos em peças cirúrgicas de câncer colorretal é fundamental para o adequado estadiamento da doença e, consequentemente, para a obtenção de melhores resultados oncológicos. A percepção de diferenças no número de linfonodos dissecados em peças cirúrgicas de câncer colorretal pelos mesmos cirurgiões em hospitais diferentes motivou este estudo. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar se há diferença no número de linfonodos e em determinados parâmetros histopatológicos em peça cirúrgica de pacientes com câncer colorretal operados por dois cirurgiões que atuam tanto em hospital universitário, como em hospital privado. MÉTODO: Foram avaliados retrospectivamente 122 pacientes, obtendo-se dados relativos a tipo de instituição (universitária versus privada), aspectos demográficos, estadiamento, localização do tumor, tipo de operação, via de acesso (aberta versus laparoscópica ), indicação de radioterapia, número de linfonodos dissecados, número de linfonodos positivos e negativos, assim como o tipo histológico, presença de invasões vascular, linfática e perineural e resposta linfocítica). RESULTADOS: Sessenta e cinco pacientes foram operados em instituição universitária e 57, em instituição privada. Não houve diferença entre os grupos quanto à idade, gênero, estadiamento, localização do tumor, indicação de radioterapia e tipo de operação. A via laparoscópica foi mais comum na instituição universitária. A mediana de linfonodos dissecados foi de 25 (P25-75: 15-34) na instituição universitária versus 15 (P25-75;12-17) (p&lt;.0001). A média de linfonodos positivos foi de três na instituição universitária e de um na privada. O achado de 12 ou mais linfonodos foi mais comum em instituição universitária (55/64 versus 40/58; p=.024). A presença da informação de invasões linfática, vascular e perineural foi mais comum na instituição universitária. CONCLUSÃO: Mantendo a mesma técnica cirúrgica e com população comparável de pacientes, observou-se considerável diferença no número de linfonodos dissecados entre instituições universitária e privada e na apresentação de outros dados histopatológicos importantes para o estadiamento da doença e para a indicação de terapia sistêmica. O entrosamento entre a equipe cirúrgica e o patologista deve ocorrer em todos os tipos de instituições, sendo que a melhora da qualidade do exame anátomo-patológico deve ocorrer em instituições não-universitárias.

Prognostic value of pathological nodal status and tumor regression grade in patients with rectal cancer (RC) treated with pre-operative chemoradiotherapy

13524 Background: The main objective of this study is to clarify the correlation between pathological nodal status and Dworak tumor regression grade (TRG) (Dworak et al. Int Colorectal Dis 1997, 12:19–23) after pre-operative chemoradiotherapy. Methods: From May 1998 to February 2005, 112 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer were diagnosed at Centro Oncologico Modenese and treated with pre-operative concomitant pelvic irradiation (50 Gy in 25 fractions) and chemotherapy with 5-FU in continuous infusion (225 mg/msq/daily). We considered for our analysis only pathological stage III cases. Results: Clinical positive nodal status (by CT scan or ultrasonography) was present in 71 patients on 106 (66.9%) at diagnosis. Among all radically resected patients (106), pathologic assessment of lymph nodes in surgical specimens was performed; average number of nodes examined was 11 (range: 2–22). Thirty patients (28.3%) had a positive nodal status at pathological examination: 19 (63.3%) were pN1 (≤3 lymph nodes) and 11 (36.7%) were pN2 (&gt;3). The nodal status changed from 66.9% (clinical evaluation) to 28.3% (pathologic evaluation). Among stage III patients 5 (16.7%) had a TRG 3, 12 (40%) TRG 2, 11 (36.7%) TRG 1 and 2 (6.6%) TRG 0. At a median follow-up of 32,3 months, 20/106 patients relapsed (18.8%); of these 20, 10 (50%) had a positive pathologic nodal status. In this subset recurrence occurred in 5/10 (50%) pN1 patients (1 local and 4 with distant metastases) and 5/10 (50%) pN2 patients (2 local and 3 with distant metastases). The 3-y DFS was 63% (68% pN1 and 54% pN2) (p=0.32). The 3-y OS was 84% (94% pN1 and 68% pN2, p=0.72). The 3-y DFS in post-operative stage III patients according to tumor regression grade was 81% for TRG 2–3 and 38% TRG 0–1 (p&lt;0.026). Conclusions: In stage III patients, TRG is confirmed as a relevant prognostic factor in locally advanced rectal cancer treated with neo-adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy. In the same subset of patients the number of positive nodes seems to impact on the prognosis, even not reaching a significant relevance. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Detection Rate of Periintestinal Lymph Nodes

Compared to standard two-dimensional (2D) endosonography, three-dimensional (3D) endosonography has been presented as a possible improvement regarding imaging of the gastrointestinal (G-I) tract and detection of metastatic lymph nodes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of detecting periintestinal lymph nodes in surgical specimens using 3D endosonography. Surgical specimens from 31 patients with malignant G-I tumours were investigated by 3-D endosonography and histology with focus on the presence of periintestinal lymph nodes and presence of metastasis. The specimens were scanned submerged into water. Position and size of the lymph nodes were mapped on a photo of the specimen both by the pathologist and the examiners. Three-dimensional endosonography detected 48 out of 60 malignant lymph nodes (80.0 %), and 110 out of 219 benign lymph nodes (50.2 %). The positive predictive value for an endosonographic finding interpreted as a lymph node was 0.97. The detection rates for periintestinal lymph nodes were relatively high and seemed superior to the one usually assigned to 2D endosonography. Although distinguishing between metastatic and non-metastatic lymph nodes remains a problem, all patients with histologically confirmed metastasis to lymph nodes were detected by 3D endosonography, and the technique thus seems suitable for grouping of patients prior to surgery.

GSTP1 CpG island hypermethylation as a molecular marker of prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in Europe and North America. Despite its high prevalence, the molecular mechanism of its underlying development and progression is poorly understood. Many studies have revealed multiple molecular alterations during prostate cancer carcinogenesis. GSTP1 CpG island hypermethylation is one of the molecular changes that occur during carcinogenesis. We evaluated the role of GSTP1 CpG island hypermethylation in prostatic cancers and discussed its possible role as a molecular biomarker of prostate cancer. Studies haven shown that GSTP1 CpG island hypermethylation is present in about 90% of prostatic carcinomas. The DNA alteration was also detectable in body fluids such as blood, urine, ejaculate, or prostatic secretions. One study showed hypermethylation in histologically unsuspicious lymph nodes in surgical specimens in patients with biochemical PSA (prostate-specific antigen) recurrence. Additionally, it is possible to distinguish between normal prostatic tissue, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and prostate cancer. The detection of GSTP1 CpG island hypermethylation serves as a molecular marker in prostate cancer screening, detection, and diagnosis. It may even provide information on prostate cancer prognosis. However, prospective trials to evaluate its predictive value are necessary.

Impact of Number of Nodes Retrieved on Outcome in Patients With Rectal Cancer

We postulated that the pathologic evaluation of the lymph nodes of surgical specimens from patients with rectal cancer can have a substantial impact on time to relapse and survival. We analyzed data from 1,664 patients with T3, T4, or node-positive rectal cancer treated in a national intergroup trial of adjuvant therapy with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Associations between the number of lymph nodes found by the pathologist in the surgical specimen and the time to relapse and survival outcomes were investigated. Patients were divided into groups by nodal status and the corresponding quartiles of numbers of nodes examined. The number of nodes examined was significantly associated with time to relapse and survival among patients who were node-negative. For the first through fourth quartiles, the 5-year relapse rates were 0.37, 0.34, 0.26, and 0.19 (P: = .003), and the 5-year survival rates were 0.68, 0.73, 0.72, and 0.82 (P: = .02). No significant differences were found by quartiles among patients determined to be node-positive. We propose that observed differences are primarily related to the incorrect determination of nodal status in node-negative patients. Approximately 14 nodes need to be studied to define nodal status accurately. These results suggest that the pathologic assessment of lymph nodes in surgical specimens is often inaccurate and that examining greater number of nodes increases the likelihood of proper staging. Some patients who might benefit from adjuvant therapy are misclassified as node-negative due to incomplete sampling of lymph nodes.

An improved technique for the study of lymph nodes in surgical specimens.

The importance of the meticulous study by pathologists of the lymph nodes in surgical specimens is emphasized. Most pathologists identify only a small proportion of the lymph nodes in these specimens and valuable prognostic information is lost. Data illustrating the evolution in the Columbia Laboratory of surgical pathology of methods used to study surgical lymph node specimens over a 44-year period (1935--1979) are reviewed. An improved method of clearing the specimens of axillary dissections in radical mastectomy finds more lymph nodes and more metastases, and greatly shortens the time required for clearing. The importance of identifying metastases in the interpectoral nodes is emphasized. In a special study with our new clearing technique metastases were found in the interpectoral nodes in 19% of the radical mastectomy specimens. These nodes are not removed in the modified operation, which does not include resection of the pectoral muscles. The opportunity to cure a substantial proportion of patients is thus lost.