Sluckin TC, Hazen SMJA, Horsthuis K, Beets-Tan RGH, Aalbers AGJ, Beets GL, Boerma EJG, Borstlap J, van Breest Smallenburg V, Burger JWA, Crolla RMPH, Daniëls-Gooszen AW, Davids PHP, Dunker MS, Fabry HFJ, Furnée EJB, van Gils RAH, de Haas RJ, Hoogendoorn S, van Koeverden S, de Korte FI, Oosterling SJ, Peeters KCMJ, Posma LAE, Pultrum BB, Rothbarth J, Rutten HJT, Schasfoort RA, Schreurs WH, Simons PCG, Smits AB, Talsma AK, The GYM, van Tilborg F, Tuynman JB, Vanhooymissen IJS, van de Ven AWH, Verdaasdonk EGG, Vermaas M, Vliegen RFA, Vogelaar FJ, de Vries M, Vroemen JC, van Vugt ST, Westerterp M, van Westreenen HL, de Wilt JHW, van der Zaag ES, Zimmerman DDE, Marijnen CAM, Tanis PJ, Kusters M. Evaluation of National Surgical Practice for Lateral Lymph Nodes in Rectal Cancer in an Untrained Setting.
Ann Surg Oncol 2023;
30:5472-5485. [PMID:
37340200 PMCID:
PMC10409808 DOI:
10.1245/s10434-023-13460-0]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Involved lateral lymph nodes (LLNs) have been associated with increased local recurrence (LR) and ipsi-lateral LR (LLR) rates. However, consensus regarding the indication and type of surgical treatment for suspicious LLNs is lacking. This study evaluated the surgical treatment of LLNs in an untrained setting at a national level.
METHODS
Patients who underwent additional LLN surgery were selected from a national cross-sectional cohort study regarding patients undergoing rectal cancer surgery in 69 Dutch hospitals in 2016. LLN surgery consisted of either 'node-picking' (the removal of an individual LLN) or 'partial regional node dissection' (PRND; an incomplete resection of the LLN area). For all patients with primarily enlarged (≥7 mm) LLNs, those undergoing rectal surgery with an additional LLN procedure were compared to those undergoing only rectal resection.
RESULTS
Out of 3057 patients, 64 underwent additional LLN surgery, with 4-year LR and LLR rates of 26% and 15%, respectively. Forty-eight patients (75%) had enlarged LLNs, with corresponding recurrence rates of 26% and 19%, respectively. Node-picking (n = 40) resulted in a 20% 4-year LLR, and a 14% LLR after PRND (n = 8; p = 0.677). Multivariable analysis of 158 patients with enlarged LLNs undergoing additional LLN surgery (n = 48) or rectal resection alone (n = 110) showed no significant association of LLN surgery with 4-year LR or LLR, but suggested higher recurrence risks after LLN surgery (LR: hazard ratio [HR] 1.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.7-3.2, p = 0.264; LLR: HR 1.9, 95% CI 0.2-2.5, p = 0.874).
CONCLUSION
Evaluation of Dutch practice in 2016 revealed that approximately one-third of patients with primarily enlarged LLNs underwent surgical treatment, mostly consisting of node-picking. Recurrence rates were not significantly affected by LLN surgery, but did suggest worse outcomes. Outcomes of LLN surgery after adequate training requires further research.
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