The Value of Lymph Node Dissection in the Surgery of Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases

Liver resection is the best treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). Hepatic lymph node metastases are considered as extrahepatic disease and represent an unfavorable prognostic factor. However, extrahepatic disease, when resectable, provides no contraindication for surgical therapy. The ai...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Anticancer research 2016-06, Vol.36 (6), p.2993-2997
Main Authors: Bradatsch, Andrea, Kornprat, Peter, Bacher, Heinz, Cerwenka, Herwig, Haybaeck, Johannes, Mischinger, Hans-Jörg
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Colorectal Neoplasms - pathology
Female
Humans
Liver Neoplasms - secondary
Liver Neoplasms - surgery
Lymph Node Excision
Lymph Nodes - pathology
Male
Middle Aged
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Summary:Liver resection is the best treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). Hepatic lymph node metastases are considered as extrahepatic disease and represent an unfavorable prognostic factor. However, extrahepatic disease, when resectable, provides no contraindication for surgical therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of hepatic lymph node involvement in our patients' cohort. Twenty patients submitted to resection for colorectal liver metastases were studied prospectively. Three areas for lymph node dissection were defined and analyzed separately. Lymph nodes were examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry for Pan-Keratin. In average, 5 lymph nodes were harvested per patient. Macroscopic enlargement was not a definite sign for metastatic involvement. No morbidity or mortality was associated with lymphadenectomy. In our patients' collective, no cases of lymph node metastases occurred. There is no evidence of a survival benefit after lymph node dissection in patients with CRC liver metastases in the literature. Systematic lymphadenectomy can, however, provide a prognostic tool to better plan further treatment.
ISSN:1791-7530