Factors related to lymph node metastasis and surgical strategy used to treat early gastric carcinoma

AIM:The prognosis of early gastric carcinoma (EGC) is generally excellent after surgery. The presence or absence of lymph node metastasis in EGC is an important prognostic factor. The survival and recurrence rates of node-negative EGC are much better than those of node-positive EGC. This study examined the factors related to lymph node metastasis in EGC to determine the appropriate treatment for EGC.METHODS: We investigated 748 patients with EGC who underwent surgery between January 1985 and December 1999 at the Division of Gastroenterologic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Chonnam National University Hospital. Several clinicopathologic factors were investigated to analyze their relationship to lymph node metastasis: age, sex, tumor location, tumor size, gross type, histologic type, depth of invasion, extent of lymph node dissection, type of operation,and DNA ploidy.RESULTS:Lymph node metastases were found in 75 patients (10.0%). Univariate analysis showed that male sex, tumor size larger than 2.0cm, submucosal invasion of tumor, histologic differentiation, and DNA ploidy pattern were risk factors for regional lymph node metastasis in EGC patients. However, a multivariate analysis showed that three risk factors were associated with lymph node metastasis:large tumor size, undifferentiated histologic type and submucosal invasion. No statistical relationship was found for age, sex, tumor location, gross type, or DNA ploidy in multivariate analysis. The 5-year survival rate was 94.2% for those without lymph node metastasis and 87.3% for those with lymph node metastasis, and the difference was significant (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: In patients with EGC, the survival rate of patients with positive lymph nodes is significantly worse than that of patients with no lymph node metastasis. Therefore,a standard D2 lymphadenectomy should be performed in patients at high risk of lymph node metastasis: large tumor size, undifferentiated histologic type and submucosal invasion.

Relationship between Lymphatic Vessel Density and Lymph Node Metastasis of Invasive Micropapillary Carcinoma of the Breast

OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between lymphatic vessel density and lymph node metastasis of invasive micropapillary carcinoma (IMPC) of the breast. METHODS The immunohistochemical study for vascular endothelial growth factor-c (VEGF-C), VEGF Receptor-3 (VEGFR-3) and lymphatic vessel density of 51 cases of IMPC were performed, and lymph node metastases were examined by microscopic analysis of these cases. RESULTS In IMPC, VEGF-C was expressed in the cytoplasm and/or on the membrane of the tumor cells, and the expression of VEGF-C showed a positive correlation with lymph node metastasis (P<0.01). Lymphatic vessel density was determined by the number of micro-lymphatic vessels with VEGFR-3 positive staining. Lymphatic vessel density was positively correlated with VEGF-C expression (P<0.01) and lymph node metastasis (P<0.01). The percentage of IMPC in the tumor was not associated with the incidence of lymph node metastasis. The metastatic foci in lymph nodes were either pure or predominant micropapillary carcinoma. CONCLUSION The results suggested that VEGF-C overexpression stimulated tumor lymphangiogenesis, and the increased lymphatic vessel density may be the key factor that influenced lymph node metastasis of IMPC.

A PROGNOSTIC EVALUATION ON ESOPHAGEAL CARCINOMA WITH LYMPH NODE METASTASIS──AN ANALYSIS OF 212 CASES

The authors studied retrospcctively lymph node metastatic status impacting on survival of 212 patients with thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma 663 (19.4%) of the total 3, 419 lymph nodes examined (an average of 16. per patient) were proved to be positive.The overall 5-year survival rate was 19.3% (41/212).The results showed that no difference in survival was observed in relation to the site of the involved lymph node.Difference in survival based on the number of metastatic lymph nodes (1 or ≥2) and the frequence of Positive nodes ≤ 10% or≥10%) is statistically significant. The results indicated that the clinical staging of esophagcal carcinoma should be made according to the absolute number and the relative frequency of lymph nodes involved. The effectiveness and limitation of extended lymph node dissection in relation to prognosis was discussed.

Radical lymph node dissection and assessment:Impact on gallbladder cancer prognosis

AIM: To investigate the lymph node metastasis patterns of gallbladder cancer(GBC) and evaluate the optimal categorization of nodal status as a critical prognostic factor.METHODS: From May 1995 to December 2010,a total of 78 consecutive patients with GBC underwent a radical resection at Liaocheng People's Hospital.A radical resection was defined as removing both the primary tumor and the regional lymph nodes of the gallbladder.Demographic,operative and pathologic data were recorded.The lymph nodes retrieved were examined histologically for metastases routinely from each node.The positive lymph node count(PLNC) as well as the total lymph node count(TLNC) was recorded for each patient.Then the metastatic to examined lymph nodes ratio(LNR) was calculated.Disease-specific survival(DSS) and predictors of outcome were analyzed.RESULTS: With a median follow-up time of 26.50 mo(range,2-132 mo),median DSS was 29.00 ± 3.92 mo(5-year survival rate,20.51%).Nodal disease was found in 37 patients(47.44%).DSS of node-negative patients was significantly better than that of nodepositive patients(median DSS,40 mo vs 17 mo,χ2= 14.814,P < 0.001),while there was no significant difference between N1 patients and N2 patients(median DSS,18 mo vs 13 mo,χ2= 0.741,P = 0.389).Optimal TLNC was determined to be four.When node-negative patients were divided according to TLNC,there was no difference in DSS between TLNC < 4 subgroup and TLNC ≥ 4 subgroup(median DSS,37 mo vs 54 mo,χ2 = 0.715,P = 0.398).For node-positive patients,DSS of TLNC < 4 subgroup was worse than that of TLNC ≥ 4 subgroup(median DSS,13 mo vs 21 mo,χ2= 11.035,P < 0.001).Moreover,for node-positive patients,a new cut-off value of six nodes was identified for the number of TLNC that clearly stratified them into 2 separate survival groups(< 6 or ≥ 6,respectively;median DSS,15 mo vs 33 mo,χ2= 11.820,P < 0.001).DSS progressively worsened with increasing PLNC and LNR,but no definite cut-off value could be identified.Multivariate analysis revealed histological grade,tumor node metastasis staging,TNLC and LNR to be independent predictors of DSS.Neither location of positive lymph nodes nor PNLC were identified as an independent variable by multivariate analysis.CONCLUSION: Both TLNC and LNR are strong predictors of outcome after curative resection for GBC.The retrieval and examination of at least 6 nodes can influence staging quality and DSS,especially in nodepositive patients.

Laparoscopic splenic hilum lymph node dissection for advanced proximal gastric cancer:A modified approach for pancreasand spleen-preserving total gastrectomy

AIM:To investigate the feasibility and optimal approach for laparoscopic pancreasand spleen-preserving splenic hilum lymph node dissection in advanced proximal gastric cancer.METHODS:Between August 2009 and August 2012,12 patients with advanced proximal gastric cancer treated in Nanfang Hospital,Southern Medical University,Guangzhou,China were enrolled and subsequently underwent laparoscopic total gastrectomy with pancreasand spleen-preserving splenic hilum lymph node(LN)dissection.The clinicopathological characteristics,surgical outcomes,postoperative course and followup data of these patients were retrospectively collected and analyzed in the study.RESULTS:Based on our anatomical understanding of peripancreatic structures,we combined the characteristics of laparoscopic surgery and developed a modified approach(combined supraand infra-pancreatic approaches)for laparoscopic pancreasand spleenpreserving splenic hilum LN dissection.Surgery was completed in all 12 patients laparoscopically without conversion.Only one patient experienced intraoperative bleeding when dissecting LNs along the splenic artery and was handled with laparoscopic hemostasis.The mean operating time was 268.4 min and mean number of retrieved splenic hilum LNs was 4.8.One patient had splenic hilum LN metastasis(8.3%).Neither postoperative morbidity nor mortality was observed.Peritoneal metastasis occurred in one patient and none of the other patients died or experienced recurrent disease during the follow-up period.CONCLUSION:Laparoscopic total gastrectomy with pancreasand spleen-preserving splenic hilum LN dissection using the modified approach for advanced proximal gastric cancer could be safely achieved.

Assessment of lymph node involvement in colorectal cancer

Lymph node metastasis informs prognosis and is a key factor in deciding further management, particularly adjuvant chemotherapy. It is core to all contemporary staging systems, including the widely used tumor node metastasis staging system. Patients with nodenegative disease have 5-year survival rates of 70%-80%, implying a significant minority of patients with occult lymph node metastases will succumb to disease recurrence. Enhanced staging techniques may help to identify this subset of patients, who might benefit from further treatment. Obtaining adequate numbers of lymph nodes is essential for accurate staging. Lymph node yields are affected by numerous factors, many inherent to the patient and the tumour, but others related to surgical and histopathological practice. Good lymph node recovery relies on close collaboration between surgeon and pathologist. The optimal extent of surgical resection remains a subject of debate. Extended lymphadenectomy, extra-mesenteric lymph node dissection, high arterial ligation and complete mesocolic excision are amongst the surgical techniques with plausible oncological bases, but which are not supported by the highest levels of evidence. With further development and refinement, intra-operative lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy may provide a guide to the optimum extent of lymphadenectomy, but in its present form, it is beset by false negatives, skip lesions and failures to identify a sentinel node. Once resected, histopathological assessment of the surgical specimen can be improved by thorough dissection techniques, step-sectioning of tissue blocks and immunohistochemistry. More recently, molecular methods have been employed. In this review, we consider the numerous factors that affect lymph node yields, including the impact of the surgical and histopathological techniques. Potential future strategies, including the use of evolving technologies, are also discussed.

Lymph node metastasis in early gastric cancer with submucosal invasion:Feasibility of minimally invasive surgery

AIM:To explore the feasibility of pertorming minimally invasive surgery(MIS)on subsets of submucosal gastric cancers that are unlikely to have regional lymph node metastasis. METHODS:A total of 105 patients underwent radical gastrectomy with lymph node dissection for submucosal gastric cancer at our hospital from January 1995 to December 1995.Besides investigating many clinicopathological features such as tumor size,gross appearance,and differentiation, we measured the depth of invasion into submucosa minutely and analyzed the clinicopathologic features of these patients regarding lymph node metastasis. RESULTS:The rate of lymph node metastasis in cases where the depth of invasion was<500 μm,500-2 000 μm,or >2 000 μm was 9%(2/23),19%(7136),and 33%(15/46), respectively(P<0.05).In univariate analysis,no significant correlation was found between lymph node metastasis and clinicopathological characteristics such as age,sex,tumor location,gross appearance,tumor differentiation,Lauren's classification,and lymphatic invasion.In multivariate analysis, tumor size(>4 cm vs≤2 cm,odds ratio=4.80, P=0.04)and depth of invasion(>2 000 μm vs ≤500 μm, odds ratio=6.81,P=0.02)were significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis.Combining the depth and size in cases where the depth of invasion was less than 500 μm, we found that lymph node metastasis occurred where the tumor size was greater than 4 cm.In cases where the tumor size was less than 2 cm,lymph node metastasis was found only where the depth of tumor invasion was more than 2 000 μm. CONCLUSION:MIS can be applied to submucosal gastric cancer that is less than 2 cm in size and 500 μm in depth.

Selective lateral lymph node dissection after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in rectal cancer

BACKGROUND Lateral lymph node metastasis is one of the leading causes of local recurrence in patients with advanced mid or low rectal cancer.Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy(NCRT)can effectively reduce the postoperative recurrence rate;thus,NCRT with total mesorectal excision(TME)is the most widely accepted standard of care for rectal cancer.The addition of lateral lymph node dissection(LLND)after NCRT remains a controversial topic.AIM To investigate the surgical outcomes of TME plus LLND,and the possible risk factors for lateral lymph node metastasis after NCRT.METHODS This retrospective study reviewed 89 consecutive patients with clinical stage II-III mid or low rectal cancer who underwent TME and LLND from June 2016 to October 2018.In the NCRT group,TME plus LLND was performed in patients with short axis(SA)of the lateral lymph node greater than 5 mm.In the non-NCRT group,TME plus LLND was performed in patients with SA of the lateral lymph node greater than 10 mm.Data regarding patient demographics,clinical workup,surgical procedure,complications,and outcomes were collected.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the possible risk factors for lateral lymph node metastasis in NCRT patients.RESULTS LLN metastasis was pathologically confirmed in 35 patients(39.3%):26(41.3%)in the NCRT group and 9(34.6%)in the non-NCRT group.The most common site of metastasis was around the obturator nerve(21/35)followed by the internal iliac artery region(12/35).In the NCRT patients,46%of patients with SA of LLN greater than 7 mm were positive.The postoperative 30-d mortality rate was 0%.Two(2.2%)patients suffered from lateral local recurrence in the 2-year follow up.Multivariate analysis showed that cT4 stage(odds ratio[OR]=5.124,95%confidence interval[CI]:1.419-18.508;P=0.013),poor differentiation type(OR=4.014,95%CI:1.038-15.520;P=0.044),and SA≥7 mm(OR=7.539,95%CI:1.487-38.214;P=0.015)were statistically significant risk factors associated with LLN metastasis.CONCLUSION NCRT is not sufficient as a stand-alone therapy to eradicate LLN metastasis in lower rectal cancer patients and surgeons should consider performing selective LLND in patients with greater LLN SA diameter,poorer histological differentiation,or advanced T stage.Selective LLND for NCRT patients can have a favorable oncological outcome.

Separate lateral parametrial lymph node dissection improves detection rate of parametrial lymph node metastasis in early-stage cervical cancer: 10-year clinical evaluation in a single center in China

Objective: To investigate the clinical significance of separate lateral parametrial lymph node dissection(LPLND) in improving parametrial lymph node(PLN) and its metastasis detection rate during radical hysterectomy for early-stage cervical cancer.Methods: From July 2007 to August 2017, 2,695 patients with cervical cancer in stage IB1-IIA2 underwent radical hysterectomy were included. Of these patients, 368 underwent separate dissection of PLNs using the LPLND method, and 2,327 patients underwent conventional radical hysterectomy(CRH). We compared the surgical parameters, PLN detection rate and PLN metastasis rate between the two groups.Results: Compared with CRH group, the rate of laparoscopic surgery was higher(60.3% vs. 15.9%, P<0.001),and the blood transfusion rate was lower(19.0% vs. 29.0%, P<0.001) in the LPLND group. PLNs were detected in 356 cases(96.7%) in the LPLND group, and 270 cases(11.6%) in the CRH group(P<0.001), respectively. The number of PLNs detected in the LPLND group was higher than that in the CRH group(median 3 vs. 1, P<0.001).The PLN metastases were detected in 25 cases(6.8%) in the LPLND group, and 18 cases(0.8%) in the CRH group(P<0.001), respectively. In multivariable analysis, LPLND is an independent factor not only for PLN detection [odds ratio(OR)=228.999, 95% confidence interval(95% CI): 124.661-420.664;P<0.001], but also for PLN metastasis identification(OR=10.867, 95% CI: 5.381-21.946;P<0.001).Conclusions: LPLND is feasible and safe. The surgical method significantly improves the detection rate of PLN and avoids omission of PLN metastasis during radical hysterectomy for early-stage cervical cancer.

Station 10 lymph node dissections in laparoscopic-assisted spleen-preserving radical gastrectomy for advanced proximal gastric cancer

D2 gastric resection has been increasingly recognized as the optimal surgical treatment for advanced gastric cancer. Dissection of the station 10 splenic lymph nodes is required in the treatment of advanced proximal gastric cancer. Based on vascular anatomy and anatomical plane of fascial space, integrated with our experience in station 10 splenic lymph node dissection in open surgery and proven skills of laparoscopic operation, we have successfully mastered the surgical essentials and technical keypoints in laparoscopic-assisted station 10 lymph node dissection.

Therapeutic role of template-based lymphadenectomy in urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract

Lymphadenectomy for urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract has attracted the attention of physicians. The mapping study of lymphatic spread has shown that a relatively wide area should comprise the regional nodes for tumors of the right renal pelvis or the right upper two-thirds of the ureter. A prospective study showed that an anatomical templatebased lymphadenectomy significantly improved patient survival in tumors of the renal pelvis. This benefit was more evident for patients with p T2 stage tumors or higher. The risk of regional node recurrence is significant reduced by template-based lymphadenectomy,which is likely to be associated with improved patient survival. The removal of lymph node micrometastases is assumed to be the reason for therapeutic benefit following lymphadenectomy. The number of resected lymph nodes can be used to assess the quality of lymphadenectomy,but not to determine the extent of lymphadenectomy. The guidelines currently recommend lymphadenectomy for patients with muscle-invasive disease,even though the current recommendation grades are still low. The present limitation of lymphadenectomy is the lack of standardization of the extent of lymphadenectomy and the randomized trials. Further studies are warranted to collect the evidence to support lymphadenectomy.

Laparoscopic vs.open lower mediastinal lymphadenectomy for Siewert typeⅡ/Ⅲadenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction:An exploratory,observational,prospective,IDEAL stage2b cohort study(CLASS-10 study)

Objective:This study aims to verify the feasibility and efficacy of laparoscopic lower mediastinal lymphadenectomy for Siewert typeⅡ/Ⅲadenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction(AEG).Setting:An exploratory,observational,prospective,cohort study will be carried out under the Idea,Development,Exploration,Assessment and Long-term Follow-up(IDEAL)framework(stage 2 b).Paritcipants:The study will recruit 1,036 patients with cases of locally advanced AEG(Siewert typeⅡ/Ⅲ,clinical stage cT2-4 aN0-3 M0),and 518 will be assigned to either the laparoscopy group or the open group.Interventions:Patients will receive lower mediastinal lymphadenectomy along with either total or proximal gastrectomy.Primary and secondary outcome measures:The primary endpoint is the number of lower mediastinal lymph nodes retrieved,and the secondary endpoints are the surgical safety and prognosis,including intraoperative and postoperative lower-mediastinal-lymphadenectomy-related morbidity and mortality,rate of rehospitalization,R0 resection rate,3-year local recurrence rate,and 3-year overall survival.Conclusions:The study will provide data for the guidance and development of surgical treatment strategies for AEG.Trial registration number:The study has been registered in ClinicalTrials.gov(No.NCT04443478).

Significance of the lymph nodes in the 7th station in rational dissection for metastasis of distal gastric cancer with different T categories

Objective： To determine the clinicopathological characteristics, and evaluate the appropriate extent of lymph node dissection in distal gastric cancer patients with comparable T category. Methods： A retrospective study was conducted on 570 distal gastric cancer patients, who underwent gastric resection with D2 nodal dissection, which was performed by the same surgical team from January 1997 to January 2011. We compared the differences in lymph node metastasis rates and metastatic lymph node ratios between different T categories. Additionally, we investigated the impact of lymph node metastasis in the 7th station on survival rate of distal gastric cancer patients with the same TNM staging. Results： Among the 570 patients, the overall lymph node metastasis rate of advanced distal gastric cancer was 78.1%, and the metastatic lymph node ratio was 27%. The lymph node metastasis rate in the 7th station was similar to that of perigastric lymph nodes. There was no statistical significance in patients with the same TNM stage （stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ）, irrespective of the metastatic status in the 7th station. Conclusions： Our results suggest that to a certain extent, it is reasonable to include lymph nodes in the 7th station in the D 1 lymph node dissection.

Extended lymph node dissection in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy： lymph node yield and distribution of metastases

In this study, we reported our experience performing robotic extended lymph node dissection （eLND） in patients with prostate cancer. A total of 147 patients with intermediate and high-risk prostate cancer who underwent robotic eLND from May 2008 to December 2011 were included in this analysis. The dissection template extended to the ureter crossing the iliac vessels. We assessed lymph node yield, lymph node positivity, and perioperative outcomes. Lymph node positivity was also evaluated according to the number of lymph nodes （LNs） removed （〈22 vs 〉22）. The median number of LNs removed was 22 （11-51）, and 97 positive LNs were found in 24 patients （16.3%）. While the obturator fossa was the most common site for LN metastases （42.3%, 41/97）, the internal iliac area was the most common area for a single positive LN packet （20.8%, 5/24）. Eight patients （33.3%, 8/24） had positive LNs at the common iliac area. The incidence of positive LNs did not differ according to the number of LNs removed. Complications associated with eLND occurred in 21 patients （14.3%） and symptomatic lymphocele was found in five patients （3.4%）. In conclusion, robotic eLND can be performed with minimal morbidity. Furthermore, LN yield and the node positive rate achieved using this robotic technique are comparable to those of open series. In addition, the extent of dissection is more important than the absolute number of LNs removed in eLND, and the robotic technique is not a prohibitive factor for performing eLND.

MISSING DIAGNOSIS OF NECK METASTASES BY ROUTINE DETECTING METHOD IN LARYNGEAL CARCINOMAS

Objective To evaluate the missing diagnosis of neck metastases by routine detecting method (palpation combined with one pathological slide) in laryngeal carcinomas.Methods Sixty-six specimens of neck dissections were collected and observed by routine method, transparent method, and continuous sliding method.Results Totally, 1153 lymph nodes were detected by palpation method and another 1204 lymph nodes were detected by transparent method.The lymph nodes detected by transparent method account for 51.1% of the total, and among them 10 metastases were found, which account for 15.6%(10/64) of metastatic lymph nodes.For those with no metastasis detected by routine method, 50 μm interval continuous sliding method was performed, and 14 tiny metastases were found, which account for 21.9%(14/64) of metastatic lymph nodes.Detecting by routine method, most lymph nodes (95%) were in tumor growth and tumor suffusion stage.The missing diagnosis rate of routine method was 37.5%(24/64).Conclusions When routine method was used to detect lymph nodes in neck specimens, missing diagnosis should be considered to select best therapy.Through transparent method small lymph nodes could be found and it is a valuable method to observe pathological changes of small nodes.Continuous sliding method could find micrometastasis precisely, but the work burden is heavy and it is difficult to be widely used.

Sentinel Node in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Trunk and Extremities: Experience in a Latin American Reference Center

This paper aims to assess the use of the sentinel node technique in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the trunk and extremities in a Latin American oncology reference center. The descriptive retrospective cohort study included 60 patients diagnosed with SCC of the trunk and extremities, submitted to surgical treatment of the primary tumor and sentinel node biopsy at the breast and soft tissue tumor services of the National Institute of Cancerology (Bogotá, Colombia) over a period of 6 years. The sentinel node was identified in 96.6% (58/60) of the patients. The sentinel node pathology report was negative in 81.7% (49), positive in 15% (9). There were no complications due to the procedure in 85% of the patients. The mean recurrence-free survival time was 8.3 months (CI 95% 5.0 to 11.5 months) in patients with positive sentinel node and 58.6 months (CI 95% 47.8 to 69.3 months) in patients with negative results. Only 4 of 49 patients (8.1%) with negative sentinel node had regional relapse. The study evidenced that the sentinel node technique in patients with high-risk SCC of the trunk and extremities is an adequate staging tool for the lymph node chain, with a low rate of associated complications. This opens an interesting opportunity for prospective cohort studies that can demonstrate statistically significant differences.

Study on the risk factors of lymphatic metastasis and the indications of less invasive operations in early gastric cancer

The principle of surgical treatment for gastric cancer is the radical resectioning although the suitable resecting range for different cases of gastric cancer is still being argued upon[1-9]. However, the diagnostic accuracy of early gastric cancer (EGC) without lymphatic metastasis has obviously improved with an improvement in the diagnostic technique and due to the accumulation of knowledge on the biological profiles of EG C[10-17]. The D2 lymph node excision was used as a regular operation to treat the EGC previously. But the concept for the EGC without lymphatic metastasis has gradually changed and the less invasive resections has been applied in some cases[18-20]. This study aimed at investigating the risk factors of lymphatic metastasis in EGC in order to find out the proofs for the suitable indications for less invasive operations such as endoscopic mucosal resectioning (EMR), laparoscopic and laparotomic resectioning.

Regional lymphadenectomy for gallbladder cancer: Rational extent, technical details, and patient outcomes

AIM: To define the rational extent of regional lymphadenectomy for gallbladder cancer and to clarify its effect on long-term survival. METHODS: A total of 152 patients with gallbladder cancer who underwent a minimum of "extended" portal lymph node dissection (defined as en bloc removal of the first-and second-echelon nodes) from 1982 to 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. Based on previous studies, regional lymph nodes of the gallbladder were divided into first-echelon nodes (cystic duct or pericholedochal nodes), second-echelon nodes (node groups posterosuperior to the head of the pancreas or around the hepatic vessels), and more distant nodes. RESULTS: Among the 152 patients (total of 3352 lymph nodes retrieved, median of 19 per patient), 79 patients (52%) had 356 positive nodes. Among nodepositive patients, the prevalence of nodal metastasis was highest in the pericholedochal (54%) and cystic duct (38%) nodes, followed by the second-echelon node groups (29% to 19%), while more distant node groups were only rarely (5% or less) involved. Disease-specific survival after R0 resection differed according to the nodal status (P < 0.001): most node-negative patients achieved long-term survival (median, not reached; 5-year survival, 80%), whereas among nodepositive patients, 22 survived for more than 5 years (median, 37 mo; 5-year survival, 43%). CONCLUSION: The rational extent of lymphadenectomy for gallbladder cancer should include the first-and second-echelon nodes. A considerable proportion of node-positive patients benefit from such aggressive lymphadenectomy.

A new method of extensive resection for gastric carcinoma:selective type Ⅲ operation

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Double inferior vena cava does not complicate para-aortic nodal dissection for the treatment of pancreatic carcinoma

Duplication of the inferior vena cava(IVC) involves large veins on both sides of the aorta that join anteriorly at the level of the renal arteries to become the suprarenal IVC.We report CT scan and intraoperative images of a patient with duplication of the IVC who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy with para-aortic lymphadenectomy for carcinoma of the pancreatic head:nodal dissection along the left caval vein was not carried out.The anatomical background of the lymphatic flow to the para-aortic lymph nodes and the theoretic basis for lymph node dissection of the para-aortic area in cases of double IVC are highlighted.Lymphadenectomy along the left caval vein is not necessary in patients with double IVC who undergo pancreaticoduodenectomy with extended lymphadenectomy for carcinoma of the pancreatic head in the absence of preoperative appearance of para-aortic disease.