prognostic significance of pretreatment serum carcinoembryonic antigen levels in gastric cancer with pathological lymph node-negative: A large sample singlecenter retrospective study

AIM To assess whether elevated serum carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA) is in the inferior prognosis for pathological lymph node-negative(p N_0) gastric cancer(GC) patients who underwent D_2 gastrectomy.METHODS About 469 p N0 GC patients,who received D^2 radical gastrectomy were retrospectively analyzed. The X-tile plots cut-off point for CEA were 30.02 ng/m L using minimum P-value from log-rank χ~2 statistics,and p N_0 GC patients were assigned to two groups: those more than 30.02 ng/m L(n = 48;CEA-high group) and those less than 30.02 ng/m L(n = 421;CEA-low group). Clinicopathologic characteristics were compared usingPearson's χ2 or Fisher's exact tests,and survival curves were so manufactured using the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate analysis were carried out using the logistic regression method.RESULTS The percentage of vessel carcinoma embolus(31.35% vs 17.1%) and advanced GC(T_(2-4b))(81.25% vs 65.32%) were higher in CEA-high group than CEA-low group. The CEA-positive patients had a significantly poorer prognosis than the CEA-nagetive patients in terms of overall survival(57.74% vs 90.69%,P < 0.05),and no different was found between subgroup of T category,differentiation,nerve invasion,and vessel carcinoma embolus(all P > 0.05). Multivariate survival analysis showed that CEA(OR = 4.924),and T category(OR = 2.214) were significant prognostic factors for stage p N0 GC(all P < 0.05). Besides,only T category(OR = 1.962) was an independent hazard factor in the CEA-high group(P < 0.05).CONCLUSION Those pretreatment serum CEA levels over 30.02 ng/m L on behalf of worse characteristics and unfavourable tumor behavior,and a poor prognosis for a nearly doubled risk of mortality in GC patients.

Impact of the number of examined lymph nodes on outcomes in patients with lymph node-negative gallbladder carcinoma

AIM To determine whether the number of examined lymph nodes(LNs) is correlated with the overall survival of gallbladder carcinoma(GBC) patients. METHODS Patients were collected from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results database(2004-2013) and categorized by the number of LNs into six groups: 1 LN, 2 LNs, 3 LNs, 4 LNs, 5 LNs, and ≥ 6 LNs. Survival curves for overall survival were plotted with a KaplanMeier analysis. The log-rank test was used for univariate comparisons.RESULTS In a cohort of 893 patients, the median number of examined LNs was two for the entire cohort. The survival for the 1 LN group was significantly poorer than those of the stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ disease groups and for the entire cohort. By dichotomizing the number of LNs from 1 to 6, we found that the minimum number of LNs that should be examined was four for stage Ⅰ, four or five for stage Ⅱ, and six for stage ⅢA disease. Therefore, for the entire cohort, the number of examined LNs should be at least six, which is exactly consistent with the American Joint Committee on Cancer criteria.CONCLUSION The examination of higher numbers of LNs is associated with improved survival after resection surgery for N0 GBC. The guidelines for GBC surgery, which recommend that six LNs be examined at least, are statistically valid and should be applied in clinical practice widely.

Prognostic value of number of examined lymph nodes in patients with node-negative gastric cancer

AIM:To elucidate the potential impact of examined lymph nodes(eLNs)on long-term survival of nodenegative gastric cancer patients after curative surgery.METHODS:A total of 497 node-negative gastric cancer patients who underwent curative gastrectomy between January 2000 and December 2008 in our center were enrolled in this study.Patients were divided into4 groups according to eLNs through cut-point analysis.Clinicopathological features were compared between≤15 eLNs group and>15 eLNs group and potential prognostic factors were analyzed.The Log-rank test was used to assess statistical differences between the groups.Independent prognostic factors were identifiedusing the Cox proportional hazards regression model.Stratified analysis was performed to investigate the impact of eLNs on patient survival in each stage.Overall survival was also compared among the four groups.Finally,we explored the recurrent sites associated with eLNs.RESULTS:Patients with eLNs>15 had a better survival compared with those with eLNs≤15 for the entire cohort.By the multivariate survival analysis,we found that the depth of invasion and the number of eLNs were the independent predictors of overall survival(OS)of patients with node-negative gastric cancer.According to the cut-point analysis,T2-T4 patients with 11-15 eLNs had a significantly longer mean OS than those with 4-10 eLNs or 1-3 eLNs.Patients with≤15 eLNs were more likely to experience locoregional and peritoneal recurrence than those with>15eLNs.CONCLUSION:Number of eLNs could predict the prognosis of node-negative gastric cancer,and dissection of>15 eLNs is recommended during lymphadenectomy so as to improve the long-term survival.

Relationship between subgroups of central and lateral lymph nodemetastasis in clinically node-negative papillary thyroid carcinoma

BACKGROUND Lymph node metastasis(LNM) of papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC) has a certain regularity and occurs first to the central lymph node and then to the lateral lymph node. The pathway of PTC LNM can guide surgical prophylactic lymph node dissection(LND) for clinical surgeons.AIM To investigate the relationship between subgroups of central LNM and lateral LNM in unilateral clinically node-negative PTC(cN0-PTC).METHODS Data were collected for 1089 PTC patients who underwent surgical treatment at the Department of Endocrine and Breast Surgery of the First Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from January 2016 to December 2017. A total of 388 unilateral cN0-PTC patients met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled in this study. The clinical and pathological data for these 388 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy + central LND + lateral LND were retrospectively analyzed. The relationship between the central LNM and lateral LNM subgroups was investigated.RESULTS The coincidence rate of cN0-PTC was only 30.0%.Optimal scaling regression analysis showed that sex(57.1% vs 42.9%, P = 0.026), primary tumor size(68.8% vs 31.2%, P = 0.008), tumor location(59.7% vs 40.3%, P = 0.007), extrathyroid extension(ETE)(50.6% vs 49.9%, P = 0.046), and prelaryngeal LNM(57.1% vs 42.9%, P = 0.004) were significantly associated with ipsilateral level-II LNM. Their importance levels were 0.122, 0.213, 0.172, 0.110, and 0.227, respectively. Primary tumor size(74.6% vs 30.2%, P = 0.016), pretracheal LNM(67.5% vs 32.5%, P < 0.001), and paratracheal LNM(71.4% vs 28.6%, P < 0.001) were significantly associated with ipsilateral level-Ⅲ LNM. Their importance levels were 0.120, 0.408, and 0.351, respectively. Primary tumor size(72.1% vs 27.9%, P = 0.003), ETE(70.4% vs 29.6%, P = 0.016), pretracheal LNM(68.3% vs 31.7%, P=0.001), and paratracheal LNM(80.8% vs 19.2%, P < 0.001) were significantly associated with ipsilateral level-IV LNM. Their importance levels were 0.164, 0.146, 0.216, and 0.472, respectively.CONCLUSION The LNM pathway of thyroid cancer has a certain regularity. For unilateral cN0-PTC patients with a tumor diameter > 2 cm and pretracheal or ipsilateral paratracheal LNM, LND at ipsilateral level Ⅲ and level IV must be considered. When there is a tumor in the upper third of the thyroid with prelaryngeal LNM, LND at level II, level Ⅲ and level IV must be considered.

Effects of extended lymphadenectomy and postoperative chemotherapy on node-negative gastric cancer

AIM:To investigate the effects of extended lymphadenectomy and postoperative chemotherapy on gastric cancer without lymph node metastasis.METHODS:Clinical data of 311 node-negative gastric cancer patients who underwent potentially curative gastrectomy with more than 15 lymph nodes resected,from January 2002 to December 2006,were analyzed retrospectively.Patients with pT4 stage or distant metastasis were excluded.We analyzed the relationship between the D2 lymphadenectomy and the 5-year survival rate among different subgroups stratified by clinical features,such as age,tumor size,tumor location and depth of invasion.At the same time,the relationship between postoperative chemotherapy and the5-year survival rate among different subgroups were also analyzed.RESULTS:The overall 5-year survival rate of the entire cohort was 63.7%.The 5-year survival rate was poor in those patients who were:(1)more than 65 years old;(2)with tumor size larger than 4 cm;(3)with tumor located in the upper portion of the stomach;and(4)with pT3 tumor.The survival rate was improved significantly by extended lymphadenectomy only in patients with pT3 tumor(P=0.019),but not in other subgroups.Moreover,there was no significant difference in survival rate between patients with and without postoperative chemotherapy among all of the subgroups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION:For gastric cancer patients without lymph node metastasis,extended lymphadenectomy could improve the survival rate of those who have pT3-stage tumor.However,there was no evidence of a survival benefit from postoperative chemotherapy alone.

Prognostic impact of dissected lymph node count on patients with node-negative gastric cancer

AIM:To investigate the long-term effect of the number of resected lymph nodes (LNs) on the prognosis of patients with node-negative gastric cancer.METHODS: Clinical data of 211 patients with gastric cancer, without nodal involvement, were analyzed retrospectively after D2 radical operation. We analyzed the relationship between the number of resected LNs with the 5-year survival, the recurrence rate and the post-operative complication rate.RESULTS: The 5-year survival of the entire cohort was 82.2%. The total number of dissected LNs was one of the independent prognostic factors. Among patients with comparable depth of invasion, the larger the number of resected LNs, the better the survival (P<0.05). A cut-point analysis provided the possibility to detect a significant survival difference among subgroups. Patients had a better long-term survival outcomes with LN counts ≥15 for pT1-2, ≥20 for pT3-4, and ≥15 for the entire cohort. The overall recurrence rate was 29.4% within 5 years after surgery. There was a statistically significant, negative correlation between the number of resected LNs and the recurrence rate (P>0.01). The post-operative complication rate was 10.9% and was not signif icantly correlated with the number of dissected LNs (P>0.05).CONCLUSION: For node-negative gastric cancer, sufficient number of dissected LNs is recommended during D2 lymphadenectomy, to improve the long-term survival and reduce the recurrence. Suitable increments of the dissected LN count would not increase the post-operative complication rate.

Clinical Study of Double Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Combined with Dye Method and Marker Placement to Identify and Locate Sentinel Lymph Nodes in Patients with Breast Cancer

Objective: To explore the value of percutaneous ultrasonography combined with transvenous ultrasonography for accurate localization of sentinel lymph nodes and diagnosis of metastatic lymph nodes in patients with breast cancer. Methods: 18 cases of patients with breast cancer attending the Hainan General Hospital from May 2022 to June 2024 who were proposed to undergo axillary lymph node dissection were selected, and the ultrasonographic agent was injected subcutaneously through the areola on the 1st day before the operation, and the marker localization of the manifestation of the Sentinel lymph nodes and draw the lymphatic vessel alignment for drainage on the body surface, and record the manifestation of SLN by conventional ultrasound and dual ultrasonography. At the time of surgery, intraoperative melphalan localization was used to identify the SLN, the difference between the number of ultrasound and melphalan localization was observed, and resection was performed for pathological examination to determine whether they were metastatic or not. Results: There were 8 metastatic lymph nodes and 18 non-metastatic lymph nodes among 31 SLN. A total of 62 SLN were localized by intraoperative melphalan, of which 31 were consistent with ultrasound localization and 31 were not identified by ultrasound. The diagnostic sensitivity of SLN metastasis diagnosed by transcutaneous ultrasonography was 62.50%, specificity was 91.30%, positive predictive value was 71.43%, negative predictive value 87.50%, accuracy was 83.87%, and the AUC was 0.769;the diagnostic sensitivityof transvenous ultrasonography diagnosed was 75.00%, specificity was 75.00%, and the accuracy was 83.87%, 75.00%, specificity 91.30%, positive predictive value 75.00%, negative predictive value 91.30%, accuracy 87.10%, AUC 0.832;dual ultrasonography diagnostic sensitivity 87.50%, specificity 91.30%, positive predictive value 77.78%, negative predictive value 95.45%, accuracy 90.32%. The AUC was 0.894. Conclusion: Transcutaneous ultrasonography combined with transvenous ultrasonography can accurately localize sentinel lymph nodes and improve the sensitivity and accuracy of the diagnosis of metastatic SLN.

Fifty-five cases of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis combined with lymph node metastasis:A retrospective study

BACKGROUND Lymph node metastasis is a specific type of metastasis in hepatic alveolar echinococcosis(AE).Currently,there is a scarcity of describing the clinical characteristics and lymph node metastasis rules of patients with hepatic AE combined with lymph node metastasis and its mechanism and management are still controversial.Radical hepatectomy combined with regional lymph node dissection is a better treatment.AIM To analyse the clinical features of hepatic AE combined with lymph node metastasis to explore its treatment and efficacy.METHODS A total of 623 patients with hepatic AE admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from 1 January 2012 to 1 January 2022 were retrospectively analysed.Fifty-five patients with combined lymph node metastasis were analysed for their clinical data,diagnosis and treatment methods,follow-up efficacy,and characteristics of lymph node metastasis.Finally,we comparatively analysed the lymph node metastasis rates at different sites.Categorical variables are expressed as frequencies and percentages,and the analysis of difference was performed using theχ2 test.The Bonferroni method was used for pairwise comparisons when statistical differences existed between multiple categorical variables.RESULTS A lymph node metastasis rate of 8.8%(55/623)was reported in patients with hepatic AE,with a female predilection(69.1%)and a statistically significant sex difference(χ2=8.018,P=0.005).Of the 55 patients with lymph node metastasis,72.7%had a parasite lesion,neighbouring organ invasion,and metastasis stage of P3N1M0 and above,of which 67.3%,78.2%,and 34.5%of hepatic AE lesions invaded the bile ducts,blood vessels,and distant metastases,respectively.Detection rates of lymph node metastasis of 16.4%,21.7%,and 34.2%were reported for a preoperative abdominal ultrasound,magnetic resonance imaging,and computed tomography examinations.All patients were intraoperatively suspected with enlarged lymph nodes and underwent radical hepatectomy combined with regional lymph node dissection.After surgery,a routine pathological examination was conducted on the resected lymph nodes.A total of 106 positive lymph nodes were detected in six groups at various sites,including 51 single-group metastasis cases and four multi-group metastasis cases.When the metastasis rates at different sites were statistically analysed,we observed that the metastasis rate in the para-hepatoduodenal ligament lymph nodes was significantly higher than that of the other sites(χ^(2)=128.089,P=0.000<0.05).No statistical difference was observed in the metastasis rate between the five other groups.Clavien-Dindo grade IIIa complication occurred in 14 cases,which improved after administering symptomatic treatment.Additionally,lymph node dissection-related complications were not observed.Recurrence after 2 years was observed in one patient.CONCLUSION Lymph node metastasis is a rare form of metastasis in hepatic AE,which is more frequent in women.Parahepatoduodenal ligament lymph nodes are commonly observed.Radical hepatectomy combined with regional lymph node dissection is a safe,effective,and feasible treatment for liver AE combined with lymph node metastasis.

Different lymph node staging systems for predicting the prognosis of colorectal neuroendocrine neoplasms

BACKGROUND Colorectal neuroendocrine neoplasms(NENs)are a rare malignancy that primarily arises from the diffuse distribution of neuroendocrine cells in the colon and rectum.Previous studies have pointed out that the status of lymph node may be used to predict the prognosis.AIM To investigate the predictive values of lymph node ratio(LNR),positive lymph node(PLN),and log odds of PLNs(LODDS)staging systems on the prognosis of colorectal NENs treated surgically,and compare their predictive values.METHODS This cohort study included 895 patients with colorectal NENs treated surgically from the Surveillance,Epidemiology,and End Results database.The endpoint was mortality of patients with colorectal NENs treated surgically.X-tile software was utilized to identify most suitable thresholds for categorizing the LNR,PLN,and LODDS.Participants were selected in a random manner to form training and testing sets.The prognosis of surgically treating colorectal NENs was examined using multivariate cox analysis to assess the associations of LNR,PLN,and LODDS with the prognosis of colorectal NENs.C-index was used for assessing the predictive effectiveness.We conducted a subgroup analysis to explore the different lymph node staging systems’predictive values.RESULTS After adjusting all confounding factors,PLN,LNR and LODDS staging systems were linked with mortality in patients with colorectal NENs treated surgically(P<0.05).We found that LODDS staging had a higher prognostic value for patients with colorectal NENs treated surgically than PLN and LNR staging systems.Similar results were obtained in the different G staging subgroup analyses.Furthermore,the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve values for LODDS staging system remained consistently higher than those of PLN or LNR,even at the 1-,2-,3-,4-,5-and 6-year follow-up periods.CONCLUSION LNR,PLN,and LODDS were found to significantly predict the prognosis of patients with colorectal NENs treated surgically.

The number of tumor-free axillary lymph nodes removed as a prognostic parameter for node-negative breast cancer

Recently, there has been controversy about the relationship between the number of lymph nodes removed and survival of patients diagnosed with lymph node-negative breast cancer. To assess this relationship, 603 cases of lymph node-negative breast cancer with a median of 126 months of follow-up data were studied. Patients were stratified into two groups(Group A, 10 or fewer tumor-free lymph nodes removed; Group B, more than 10 tumor-free lymph nodes removed). The number of tumor-free lymph nodes in ipsilateral axillary resections as well as 5 other disease parameters were analyzed for prognostic value. Our results revealed that the risk of death from breast cancer was significantly associated with patient age, marital status, histologic grade, tumor size, and adjuvant therapy. The 5- and 10-year survival rates for patients with 10 or fewer tumor-free lymph nodes removed was 88.0% and 66.4%, respectively, compared with 69.2% and 51.1%, respectively, for patients with more than 10 tumor-free lymph nodes removed. For patients with 10 or fewer tumor-free lymph nodes removed, the adjusted hazard ratio(HR) for risk of death from breast cancer was 0.579(95% confidence interval, 0.492-0.687, P < 0.001), independent of patient age, marital status, histologic grade, tumor size, and adjuvant therapy. Our study suggests that the number of tumor-free lymph nodes removed is an independent predictor in cases of lymph node-negative breast cancer.

DETECTION AND SIGNIFICANCE OF LYMPH NODE MICROMETASTASES IN PATIENTS WITH NODE-NEGATIVE GASTRIC CARCINOMA

Objective: To study micrometastases in lymph nodes from patients with node-negative gastric carcinoma by routine histologic examination and discuss their prognostic significance and the relationship between micrometastases and each of the clinicopathologic factors. Methods: A total of 1245 perigastric lymph nodes from 105 patients with node-negative gastric carcinoma was immunohisto-chemically detected using a monoclonal antibody against low molecular weight cytokeratin AE1. The characteristics of the micrometastases, their related factors and effect on patients’ survival after surgery were analysed and tested with statistical methods. Results: Micrometastases were observed in 81 lymph nodes (6.5%) of 31 patients (29.5%). The incidence of lymph node micrometastases was significantly higher in the diffuse type (41.5%) than in the intestinal type gastric carcinoma (17.6%,P<0.01,x 2test). In addition, the presence of micrometastases was closely correlated with the size and invasion depth of the primary tumor, but had no relation to patient’s age, sex and the location of primary tumor. The patients with micrometastases had significantly worse prognosis shown by Log-rank test. Their five-year survival rate after surgery was 61.29%; for those without micrometastases the rate was 82.43%,P=0.0116. When the number of patient’s lymph nodes with micrometastases was three or more, the five-year survival rate of these patients was much lower (41.67%,P=0.0012). Conclusion: The detection of lymph node micrometastases is necessary to more accurately determine the prognosis and clinical staging of patients with node-negative gastric carcinoma by routine histologic examination. The presence of micrometastases may be regarded as one of the clues in adjuvant therapy of those patients.

Etiological Agent, Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, Treatment, Measures for Prevention and Control of Caseous Lymphadenitis Disease in the Small Ruminants with Special Reference to Sheep

Caseous lymphadenitis (CL) is a chronic infectious disease caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis (C. pseudotuberculosis) that is transmitted mainly by contact with contaminated exudate wounds. Caseous lymphadenitis affects different species of animals and is considered an occupational zoonotic disease. CL is responsible for important economic losses in the small ruminant industry, which include decreased production, damaged quality of milk and wool, reproductive disorders, total or partial confiscation of carcasses, and depreciation of the skin. Caseous lymphadenitis disease can present in two clinical pictures: a skin or superficial picture and a visceral or deep picture. The presumptive diagnosis of CL in the skin is based on the exploration of superficial lymph nodes. These have little value in diagnosing visceral CL, where the main sign is emaciation. The prevention and control of CL involve identifying the skin condition and debriding the abscesses. In addition to the treatment of superficial lesions, the animal facilities must be repaired and adapted. To avoid exposure of negative herds to CL, new animals must be subjected to observation to identify any of the clinical manifestations. Another form of control is vaccination, though only some countries have commercial vaccines. General information on the etiological agent and its characteristics can be used to improve the understanding of this disease.

Intestinal lymphangiectasia:Understanding the bigger picture

Intestinal lymphangiectasia(IL)is characterized by the dilation of intestinal lymphatic vessels,which can rupture and cause loss of lymph into the intestine.Due to the high content of proteins,lipoproteins,and lymphocytes in the intestinal lymph,loss of lymph might result in hypoproteinemia,hypoalbuminemia,hypogammaglobulinemia,and lymphocytopenia.In addition,there may be a depletion of minerals,lipids,and fat-soluble vitamins.IL can be primary due to inherent malfunctioning of the lymphatic system,or secondly,a result of various factors that may hinder lymphatic drainage either directly or indirectly.This condition has emerged as a subject of significant clinical interest.Given that the intestinal lymphatic system plays an important role in the body’s fluid homeostasis,adaptive immunity,nutrient and drug absorption,intestinal transport,and systemic metabolism,its dysfunction may have wider implications.Although primary IL is rare,with varied clinical features,complications,treatment response,and outcomes,secondary IL is more common than previously believed.The definitive diagnosis of IL requires endoscopic demonstration of whitish villi(which frequently resemble snowflakes)and histological confirmation of dilated lacteals in the small intestinal mucosa.Treatment of IL is challenging and involves dietary modifications,managing underlying medical conditions,and using medications such as sirolimus and octreotide.Recognizing its prevalence and diverse etiology is crucial for targeted management of this challenging medical condition.This article provides a comprehensive exploration of the clinical implications associated with IL.In addition,it offers valuable insights into critical knowledge gaps in the existing diagnostic and management landscape.

Can we triumph over locally advanced cervical cancer with colossal para-aortic lymph nodes? A case report

BACKGROUND Para-aortic lymph nodes(PALNs)are common sites for the regional spread of cervical squamous cell carcinoma(SCC).CASE SUMMARY We report the case of a 36-year-old woman who presented with cervical SCC with multiple bulky PALNs,largest measured 4.5 cm×5 cm×10 cm.The patient was treated with radical intent with definitive chemoradiation using sequential doseescalated adaptive radiotherapy,followed by maintenance chemotherapy.The patient achieved a complete response;she has been doing well since the completion of treatment with no evidence of the disease for 2 years.CONCLUSION Regardless of the size of PALN metastases of cervical carcinoma origin,it is still treatable(with radical intent)via concurrent chemoradiation.Adaptive radiotherapy allows dose escalation with minimal toxicity.

Robotic-assisted retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for stage II testicular cancer

Objective:To evaluate the perioperative as well as early oncological outcomes of patients undergoing robotic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for treatment of testicular cancer.Methods:We conducted a prospective consecutive case series of patients undergoing robotic assisted retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for metastatic testicular cancer between May 2018 and July 2021 at our institution.Data were collected on patient and tumour characteristics,intraoperative and postoperative parameters,and functional and oncological outcomes.Descriptive statistics are presented.Results:Nineteen patients were identified;18(94.7%)completed the procedure robotically and one was converted to open surgery;78.9%of patients had stage≥IIB and 12(63.2%)patients had undergone prior chemotherapy.The median operative time was 300(interquartile range[IQR]240-315)min.Median blood loss was 100(IQR 50-175)mL.Median length of stay was 2(range 1-11)days.All robotically completed patients commenced diet and passed flatus on Day 1 and were discharged by Day 3.The median lymph node yield was 40.5(IQR 38-51)nodes.All patients undergoing nerve-sparing procedures recovered antegrade ejaculatory function.One patient had a Clavien-Dindo III complication(chylous ascites requiring drainage).At a median follow-up of 22.3(IQR 16.3-24.9)months,one patient developed retroperitoneal recurrence,which was successfully treated with second-line chemotherapy;no other patients have had recurrences.Conclusion:Robotic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection is a safe and feasible alternative to open surgery in appropriately selected patients,offering low morbidity.Early oncological outcomes are promising.Larger cohorts and longer follow-ups are required to validate our institution's findings.

Feasibility and limitations of combined treatment for lateral pelvic lymph node metastases in rectal cancer

Colorectal cancer ranks among the most commonly diagnosed cancers globally,and is associated with a high rate of pelvic recurrence after surgery.In efforts to mitigate recurrence,pelvic lymph node dissection(PLND)is commonly advocated as an adjunct to radical surgery.Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy(NACRT)is a therapeutic approach employed in managing locally advanced rectal cancer,and has been found to increase the survival rates.Chua et al have proposed a combination of NACRT with selective PLND for addressing lateral pelvic lymph node metastases in rectal cancer patients,with the aim of reducing recurrence and improving survival outcomes.Nevertheless,certain studies have indicated that the addition of PLND to NACRT and total mesorectal excision did not yield a significant reduction in local recurrence rates or improvement in survival.Consequently,meticulous patient selection and perioperative chemotherapy may prove indispensable in ensuring the efficacy of PLND.

Magnetic resonance imaging-based lymph node radiomics for predicting the metastasis of evaluable lymph nodes in rectal cancer

BACKGROUND Lymph node(LN)staging in rectal cancer(RC)affects treatment decisions and patient prognosis.For radiologists,the traditional preoperative assessment of LN metastasis(LNM)using magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)poses a challenge.AIM To explore the value of a nomogram model that combines Conventional MRI and radiomics features from the LNs of RC in assessing the preoperative metastasis of evaluable LNs.METHODS In this retrospective study,270 LNs(158 nonmetastatic,112 metastatic)were randomly split into training(n=189)and validation sets(n=81).LNs were classified based on pathology-MRI matching.Conventional MRI features[size,shape,margin,T2-weighted imaging(T2WI)appearance,and CE-T1-weighted imaging(T1WI)enhancement]were evaluated.Three radiomics models used 3D features from T1WI and T2WI images.Additionally,a nomogram model combining conventional MRI and radiomics features was developed.The model used univariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression.Evaluation employed the receiver operating characteristic curve,with DeLong test for comparing diagnostic performance.Nomogram performance was assessed using calibration and decision curve analysis.RESULTS The nomogram model outperformed conventional MRI and single radiomics models in evaluating LNM.In the training set,the nomogram model achieved an area under the curve(AUC)of 0.92,which was significantly higher than the AUCs of 0.82(P<0.001)and 0.89(P<0.001)of the conventional MRI and radiomics models,respectively.In the validation set,the nomogram model achieved an AUC of 0.91,significantly surpassing 0.80(P<0.001)and 0.86(P<0.001),respectively.CONCLUSION The nomogram model showed the best performance in predicting metastasis of evaluable LNs.

Predictive value of positive lymph node ratio in patients with locally advanced gastric remnant cancer

BACKGROUND Traditional lymph node stage(N stage)has limitations in advanced gastric remnant cancer(GRC)patients;therefore,establishing a new predictive stage is necessary.AIM To explore the predictive value of positive lymph node ratio(LNR)according to clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of locally advanced GRC.METHODS Seventy-four patients who underwent radical gastrectomy and lymphadenectomy for locally advanced GRC were retrospectively reviewed.The relationship between LNR and clinicopathological characteristics was analyzed.The survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox regression model.RESULTS Number of metastatic LNs,tumor diameter,depth of tumor invasion,Borrmann type,serum tumor biomarkers,and tumor-node-metastasis(TNM)stage were correlated with LNR stage and N stage.Univariate analysis revealed that the factors affecting survival included tumor diameter,anemia,serum tumor biomarkers,vascular or neural invasion,combined resection,LNR stage,N stage,and TNM stage(all P<0.05).The median survival time for those with LNR0,LNR1,LNR2 and LNR3 stage were 61,31,23 and 17 mo,respectively,and the differences were significant(P=0.000).Anemia,tumor biomarkers and LNR stage were independent prognostic factors for survival in multivariable analysis(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION The new LNR stage is uniquely based on number of metastatic LNs,with significant prognostic value for locally advanced GRC,and could better differentiate overall survival,compared with N stage.

Value of glucose transport protein 1 expression in detecting lymph node metastasis in patients with colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND There are limited data on the use of glucose transport protein 1(GLUT-1)expre-ssion as a biomarker for predicting lymph node metastasis in patients with colorectal cancer.GLUT-1 and GLUT-3,hexokinase(HK)-II,and hypoxia-induced factor(HIF)-1 expressions may be useful biomarkers for detecting primary tumors and lymph node metastasis when combined with fluorodeoxyglucose(FDG)uptake on positron emission tomography/computed tomography(PET/CT).AIM To evaluate GLUT-1,GLUT-3,HK-II,and HIF-1 expressions as biomarkers for detecting primary tumors and lymph node metastasis with 18F-FDG-PET/CT.METHODS This retrospective study included 169 patients with colorectal cancer who underwent colectomy and preoperative 18F-FDG-PET/CT at Chungbuk National University Hospital between January 2009 and May 2012.Two tissue cores from the central and peripheral areas of the tumors were obtained and were examined by a dedicated pathologist,and the expressions of GLUT-1,GLUT-3,HK-II,and HIF-1 were determined using immunohisto-chemical staining.We analyzed the correlations among their expressions,various clinicopathological factors,and the maximum standardized uptake value(SUVmax)of PET/CT.RESULTS GLUT-1 was found at the center or periphery of the tumors in 109(64.5%)of the 169 patients.GLUT-1 positivity was significantly correlated with the SUVmax of the primary tumor and lymph nodes,regardless of the biopsy site(tumor center,P<0.001 and P=0.012;tumor periphery,P=0.030 and P=0.010,respectively).GLUT-1 positivity and negativity were associated with higher and lower sensitivities of PET/CT,respectively,for the detection of lymph node metastasis,regardless of the biopsy site.GLUT3,HK-II,and HIF-1 expressions were not significantly correlated with the SUVmax of the primary tumor and lymph nodes.CONCLUSION GLUT-1 expression was significantly correlated with the SUVmax of 18F-FDG-PET/CT for primary tumors and lymph nodes.Clinicians should consider GLUT-1 expression in preoperative endoscopic biopsy in interpreting PET/CT findings.

Assessment of programmed death-ligand 1 expression in primary tumors and paired lymph node metastases of gastric adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND Anti-programmed death-1/programmed death-ligand 1(PD-1/PD-L1)immuno-therapy has demonstrated promising results on gastric cancer(GC).However,PD-L1 can express differently between metastatic sites and primary tumors(PT).AIM To compare PD-L1 status in PT and matched lymph node metastases(LNM)of GC patients and to determine the correlation between the PD-L1 status and clinicopathological characteristics.METHODS We retrospectively reviewed 284 GC patients who underwent D2-gastrectomy.PD-L1 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry(clone SP142)using the com-bined positive score.All PD-L1+PT staged as pN+were also tested for PD-L1 expression in their LNM.PD-L1(-)GC with pN+served as the comparison group.RESULTS Among 284 GC patients included,45 had PD-L1+PT and 24 of them had pN+.For comparison,44 PD-L1(-)cases with pN+were included(sample loss of 4 cases).Of the PD-L1+PT,54.2%(13/24 cases)were also PD-L1+in the LNM.Regarding PD-L1(-)PT,9.1%(4/44)had PD-L1+in the LNM.The agreement between PT and LNM had a kappa value of 0.483.Larger tumor size and moderate/severe peritumoral inflammatory response were associated with PD-L1 positivity in both sites.There was no statistical difference in overall survival for PT and LNM according to the PD-L1 status(P=0.166 and P=0.837,respectively).CONCLUSION Intra-patient heterogeneity in PD-L1 expression was observed between the PT and matched LNM.This disagreement in PD-L1 status may emphasize the importance of considering different tumor sites for analyses to select patients for immunotherapy.