Case of isolated lateral lymph node recurrence occurring after TME for T1 lower rectal cancer treated with lateral lymph node dissection: report of a case

Successfully Resected Isolated Lateral Lymph Node Recurrence in a Patient with T1 Lower Rectal Cancer: Case Report and Literature Review

Lateral lymph node (LLN) metastasis in T1 rectal cancer has an incidence of less than 1%. However, its clinical features are largely uncharted. We report a case of LLN metastasis in T1 rectal cancer and review the relevant literature. A 56-year-old female underwent rectal resection for lower rectal cancer 2 years previously (pT1bN0M0). During follow-up, an elevated tumor marker CA19-9 was documented. Enhanced CT and MRI showed a round shape nodule 2 cm in size on the left side of pelvic wall. PET-CT showed high accumulation of FDG in the same lesion, leading to a diagnosis of isolated LLN recurrence. Because no other site of recurrence was detected, surgical resection of the LLN was performed. Microscopic findings were consistent with metastatic lymph node originating from the recent rectal cancer. Adjuvant chemotherapy for six months was given, and patient remains free of recurrent disease seven months after LLN resection. Although LLN recurrence after surgery for T1 rectal cancer is rare, post-surgical follow-up should not be omitted. When LLN metastasis is suspected on CT, MRI and/or PET-CT will be recommended. Surgical resection of LLN metastasis in patients with T1 rectal cancer may lead to favorable outcomes, when recurrence in other areas is not observed.

T1 rectal mucinous adenocarcinoma with bilateral enlarged lateral lymph nodes and unilateral metastasis: A case report

BACKGROUND

There are a few cases of lateral lymph node (LLN) metastasis (LLNM) of T1 rectal cancer. Moreover, LLNM is easily missed, especially in patients with early-stage rectal cancer. To our knowledge, the possibility of bilateral LLNM before surgery has not been reported in previous studies.

CASE SUMMARY

A 36-year-old woman underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection at a local hospital owing to a clinical diagnosis of a rectal polyp. The pathology report showed a diagnosis of T1 rectal mucinous adenocarcinoma. She was considered to have bilateral LLNM after the examination at our hospital. Laparoscopic total mesorectal excision plus bilateral LLN dissection was performed and the pathological outcomes indicated unilateral LLNM. The patient received long-course adjuvant chemoradiotherapy with no recurrence or metastasis observed during the 1-year follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

T1 rectal cancer could lead to LLNM and possibly, bilateral LLNM. Therefore, adequate clinical evaluation is essential for these patients.

Feasibility and safety of laparoscopic lateral pelvic lymph node dissection for locally recurrent rectal cancer and risk factors for re-recurrence

INTRODUCTION

Lateral pelvic lymph node (LPLN) metastasis is considered a distant metastasis. It is often treated by systemic chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, but complete radical resection of LPLN metastasis can sometimes achieve cure. However, the safety and efficacy of radical resection for recurrent LPLN after curative rectal surgery have not been well elucidated. Therefore, we evaluated the feasibility of laparoscopic radical surgery for recurrent LPLN compared with the conventional open approach and assessed oncological outcomes between patients with and without re-recurrence.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 17 cases (4 open, 13 laparoscopic) who underwent radical resection for LPLN metastasis after curative rectal surgery between July 2012 and August 2016 at the National Hospital Organization Osaka National Hospital. Operative factors and short-term outcomes were compared. Oncological outcome was evaluated based on the pathologic response to preoperative adjuvant therapy.

RESULTS

The laparoscopic group's median blood loss and C-reactive protein elevation were lower than that of the open group on postoperative day 3. The laparoscopic group also had a shorter postoperative hospital stay. The median operative time, R0 resection rate, and morbidity rate were similar between the two groups. Local re-recurrence after LPLN resection occurred more frequently in pathologic non-responders than responders.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic surgery for LPLN metastasis is feasible and less invasive than open surgery. Laparoscopic radical resection of LPLN may be justified for curative intent. Patients with incomplete pathologic response to neoadjuvant therapy have a greater risk of re-recurrence.

Lateral lymph node metastasis in a patient with T1 upper rectal cancer treated by lateral lymph node dissection: a case report and brief literature review

Background

Lateral lymph node (LLN) metastasis may occur in patients with advanced rectal cancers of which the lower margins are located at or below the peritoneal reflection. However, LLN metastasis from a T1 rectal cancer is rare. Here, we report a case of LLN metastasis from a T1 upper rectal cancer that was successfully treated by sequential LLN dissection.

Case presentation

A 56-year-old man was referred to our hospital for the treatment of a T1 upper rectal cancer. We performed a laparoscopic low anterior resection. Histological examination showed a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma with submucosal layer invasion; the invasion depth was classified as head invasion, without vessel or lymph duct invasion. Tumor budding was classified as grade 1. A total of six lymph nodes were harvested, and no lymph node metastases were detected. The postoperative course was uneventful. At 6 months after surgery, however, the serum carcinoembryonic antigen levels were elevated, and abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed swollen lymph nodes in the right internal and common iliac artery area. Positron emission tomography with CT revealed hot spots in the same lesions. A retrospective re-evaluation of the preoperative CT images revealed no apparent swollen lymph nodes; however, an unusual soft tissue area was detected around the right internal iliac artery. A right LLN dissection was performed. Fifteen lymph nodes were resected, and histologically, metastases of adenocarcinoma were identified in 3 nodes. The postoperative course was again uneventful. The patient was given 12 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy with FOLFOX (fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin). The patient remains healthy and with no signs of recurrence at 30 months after the second surgery.

Conclusions

LLN metastasis occurs very rarely in patients with T1 upper rectal cancer and no risk factors for lymph node metastasis; however, a careful perioperative examination of the LLN should be performed. In cases involving LLN metastasis, a LLN dissection may be a therapeutic option if performed with curative intent.

Therapeutic Importance of Endoscopic Pathology Versus Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings for T1 Rectal Cancer: A Case Report

Preoperative image-based diagnosis is important for the treatment of rare cases of T1 lower rectal cancers with lateral pelvic lymph node (LLN) metastasis. We report a case of LLN metastasis in T1 lower rectal cancer diagnosed preoperatively via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A 65-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of abdominal pain. An endoscopic examination revealed a large laterally spreading tumor in the lower rectum, which was en bloc resected using endoscopic submucosal dissection. Pathologic examination of the resected specimen showed deep invasion of the cancer cells into the submucosal layer and lymphovascular invasion. MRI revealed swollen perirectal lymph nodes (≥5 mm) and a left LLN approximately 8 mm long. Laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection (Lap-APR) with left lateral pelvic lymph node dissection (LLND) was performed. Cancer cells were not seen in the resected material; however, 7 perirectal lymph nodes and 1 LLN of 47 lymph nodes contained metastatic cancer cells. We show that LLN metastasis in T1 lower rectal cancer can be preoperatively detected via MRI and successfully and safely treated via Lap-APR with left LLND.

Robotic and laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection for rectal cancer: short-term outcomes of 21 consecutive series

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to describe our initial experience and assess the feasibility and safety of robotic and laparoscopic lateral pelvic node dissection (LPND) in advanced rectal cancer.

METHODS

Between November 2007 and November 2012, extended minimally invasive surgery for LPND was performed in 21 selected patients with advanced rectal cancer, including 11 patients who underwent robotic LPND and 10 who underwent laparoscopic LPND. Extended lymphadenectomy was performed when LPN metastasis was suspected on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging even after chemoradiation.

RESULTS

All 21 procedures were technically successful without the need for conversion to open surgery. The median operation time was 396 minutes (range, 170-581 minutes) and estimated blood loss was 200 mL (range, 50-700 mL). The median length of stay was 10 days (range, 5-24 days) and time to removal of the urinary catheter was 3 days (range, 1-21 days). The median total number of lymph nodes harvested was 24 (range, 8-43), and total number of lateral pelvic lymph nodes was 7 (range, 2-23). Six patients (28.6%) developed postoperative complications; three with an anastomotic leakages, two with ileus and one patient with chyle leakage. Two patients (9.5%) developed urinary incontinence. There was no mortality within 30 days. During a median follow-up of 14 months, two patients developed lung metastasis and there was no local recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Robotic and laparoscopic LPND is technically feasible and safe. Minimally invasive techniques for LPND in selected patients can be an acceptable alternative to an open LPND.