RESUMEN

INTRODUCTION: Discussions about the optimal lymph node (LN) count and its therapeutic consequences have persisted over time. The final LN count in colorectal tissues is affected by a variety of variables (patient, tumor, operation, pathologist, immune response). Methylene blue (MB) intra-arterial injection is a simple and inexpensive procedure that can be used to enhance lymph node count. AIM: Analyze whether there is a statistically significant difference between intra-arterial methylene blue injection and conventional dissection for the quantification of lymph nodes and determine if there is a variation in the quality of lymph node acquisition. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between 2015 and 2022, we conducted a retrospective analysis of colon cancer specimens. Data on the tumor's features, the number of lymph nodes, the number of lymph nodes that were positive, and other factors had been collected. The number of identified lymph nodes was highly significantly improved in the study group (P < 0.05). There is not a significant statistical difference between groups regarding the metastatic lymph node harvest. The group with injection of intra-arterial methylene blue shows a significantly decreased (P < 0.05) of the of cases with less than 12 lymph nodes recovered comparing with the control group. CONCLUSION: Colon cancer specimens can be easily evaluated concerning lymph nodes using the methylene blue method. Therefore, we strongly advise this approach as a standard procedure in the histological evaluation of colon cancer specimens in order to maximize the identification of lymph nodes. However, the detection of metastatic lymph nodes was unaffected significantly.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

There is evidence that COVID-19 vaccines may affect the lymphatic system. We report a case of a 40-year-old female who had undergone lymph node transfer for treating primary lymphedema of the legs. Six months later, the patient developed lymphedema of the right arm closely related to mRNA vaccination against COVID-19.

RESUMEN

PURPOSE: In patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), the most important factor to decide the need of adjuvant chemotherapy is the histological lymph node (LN) evaluation. Our work aimed to give a broad view over the use of methylene blue and its consequences in the number of lymph node harvest. METHODS: PUBMED, WEB OF SCIENCE and EMBASE databases were consulted, retrieving clinical trials, which mentioned the used of intra-arterial methylene blue in patients with colorectal cancer. RESULTS: Eighteen clinical trials analyzing the use of intra-arterial methylene blue in specimens of colorectal cancer were selected. The articles show a statistical difference between the use of methylene blue and the classical dissection in both variable at study. The results of the statistical analysis of the lymph node harvest variable demonstrate a significant statistical difference between the group that received methylene blue injection and the group that underwent conventional dissection. There is a significant statistical difference between the experimental and control groups for the ideal lymph node harvest (lymph node harvest count greater than 12). CONCLUSION: The use of intra-arterial methylene blue revealed a high potential for the quantification of lymph nodes, considering the increase of lymph node harvest and the higher percentage of cases with more than 12 lymph nodes count, albeit the high heterogeneity between the studies in terms of reported results. Future investigations with controlled double blinded studies obtaining better categorized results should be conducted in order to better evaluate this technique and compare it to the current paradigm.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

INTRODUCTION: A minimum lymph node harvest (LNH) of 12 is the current standard for appropriate nodal staging in resectable rectal cancer. However, the rise of neoadjuvant chemoradiation (NCRT) and total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) has been associated with decreasing number of LNH. We hypothesize that as tumor response to neoadjuvant therapy increases, the optimum for LNH to achieve appropriate nodal staging should decrease. METHODS: Patients with clinical stage III rectal adenocarcinoma who underwent NCRT/TNT followed by resection were identified from the National Cancer Database. A JoinPoint regression analysis was used to determine the LNH for each tumor regression grade (TRG) category beyond which the rate of positive nodes does not significantly change. RESULTS: Thirteen thousand four hundred and twenty-six patients met inclusion criteria. Of these, 2406 (17.9%) achieved TRG 0 or ypT0 and 8210 (61.2%) achieved ypN0. Collectively, 2043 patients (15.2%) were reported to have a pathologic complete response (ypT0 ypN0). Positive pathologic nodes were found in 15%, 23%, 31%, 54%, and 53% as ypT stage increased from ypT0 to ypT4, respectively. Similarly, ypN+ rates were 15%, 36%, 41%, and 55% in TRG 0-3. No JoinPoint was identified for TRG 0, whereas inflection points were found at 6-10 nodes for TRG1 (p = 0.002) and TRG 2 (p = 0.016), and at 11-15 nodes for TRG 3. CONCLUSION: The benchmark of retrieving 12 nodes in resectable stage III rectal cancer is not consistently achieved after NCRT/TNT. We demonstrate that the LNH requirement to establish accurate pathologic nodal staging can vary depending on the tumor response to neoadjuvant therapies.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

In accordance with international guidelines all lymph nodes in colon cancer specimens must be examined to obtain accurate staging. This study aimed to determine the topographical location of lymph node metastases and evaluate if a more limited sampling approach could be an alternative. Partial colectomies received at the Department of Pathology, Zealand University Hospital during a six-month period were included. At the macroscopic examination, each specimen was divided into three different segments: a segment containing the index tumor and the tumor-feeding artery, an oral and an anal segment. The number of lymph nodes and lymph node metastases were registered separately for each segment. Resections from 93 patients were included. Of 2466 lymph nodes, 1839 (74.6 %) were located in the tumor segment, 308 (12.5 %) in the oral, and 319 (12.9 %) in the anal segment, respectively. In 133 (5,4 %) lymph nodes a metastasis was present. Of these 129 (97.0 %) were located in the tumor segment, one (0.8 %) in the oral segment, and three (2.3 %) in the anal segment. No patients had metastasis in the oral or anal segments without metastases also being present in the tumor segment leading to consideration of the need for lymph node harvest of the complete specimen upon initial examination. As such, the segment containing the index tumor and tumor-feeding artery could be regarded as a sentinel segment indicating a potential need for lymph node dissection in the oral and anal segments.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Pre-operative long-course chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for rectal cancer has resulted in improvement in rates of restorative rectal resection and local recurrence by inducing tumour downstaging and downsizing. Total mesorectal excision (TME) is a standardised surgical technique of low anterior resection aimed at the prevention of local tumour recurrence. The purpose of this study was to evaluate tumour response following CRT in a standardised group of patients with rectal cancer. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-one patients (79 male; 52 female, median age 57; interquartile range 47-62 years) of 153 with rectal cancer who underwent pre-operative long-course CRT were treated by standardised open low anterior resection at a median of 10 weeks post-CRT. Sixteen of 131 (12%) were 70 years or older. Median follow-up at the time of analysis was 15 months (interquartile range 6-45 months). Pathology reports were analysed based on AJCC-UICC classification using the TNM system. Data recorded were overall/subgrades of tumour regression; good, moderate or poor, lymph node harvest, local recurrence, disease-free and overall survival using standard statistical methods. RESULTS: 78% showed tumour regression post-CRT; 43% displayed good tumour regression/response while 22% had poor tumour regression/response. All patients had a pre-operative T-stage of either T3 or T4. Post-operation, good responders had a median T stage of T2 vs. T3 in poor responders (P = 0.0002). Overall, the median lymph node harvest was < 12. There was no difference in the number of nodes harvested in good vs. poor responders (Good/moderate-6 nodes vs. Poor- 8; P = 0.31). Good responders tended to have a lesser number of malignant nodes vs. poor responders (P = 0.31). Overall, local recurrence was 6.8% and the anal sphincter preservation rate was 89%. Predicted 5-year disease-free and overall survival were similar between good and poor responders. CONCLUSION: Long-course CRT resulted in satisfactory tumour regression and enabled consideration for safe, sphincter-saving resection in rectal cancer. A dedicated multi-disciplinary team approach achieved a global benchmark for local recurrence in a resource-limited setting.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

AIM: The lymph node status plays an important role in rectal cancer, which depends on adequate lymph node harvest. Lymph node stain techniques increase the lymph node harvest. The aim of this prospective study is to investigate which subgroups of lymph nodes harvested were increased mostly. METHODS: From May 2020 to May 2022, 172 stage II-III rectal cancer patients were randomized to methylene blue (MB) stained group or unstained group to retrieve the lymph nodes. Methylene blue solution was injected into the inferior mesenteric artery, we dissected lymph nodes by palpation and sight. The lymph nodes were divided into 3 groups depending on the anatomy (main lymph nodes, superior rectal and perirectal lymph nodes (SPLNs), and pericolic lymph nodes located beyond 10 cm proximal to the tumor), and 3 groups depending on the short diameter of the nodes (big: ≥ 5 mm, small: 5-2 mm, mini: ≤ 2 mm). RESULTS: The number of lymph nodes harvested with MB was significantly higher (22.0 (14.8, 32.0) vs 14.5 (11.0, 22.0); p < 0.001) without difference in positive patients or number of positive nodes. The positive rate of the big node was 3.5%, the small node was 1.9%, and the mini node was 0.2%. In the subgroup analysis, the median number of mini lymph nodes in the MB-stained group was significantly more than that of the unstained group (median (IQR): 9.0 (6.0, 14.0) vs 4.0 (2.0,6.0), p < 0.001); and the median number of SPLNs in the MB-stained group were significantly more than that of the unstained group (median (IQR): 15.0 (9.0, 19.0) vs 10.0 (6.0, 13.3), p < 0.001); these differences were existing in both patients with and without neoadjuvant treatments. CONCLUSION: Intra-arterial injection of MB can significantly increase the number of lymph nodes harvested in rectal cancers, especially those mini lymph nodes. However, methylene blue staining did not significantly increase the number of positive lymph nodes and the proportion of patients with more than 12 lymph nodes, or affect lymph node staging accuracy after radical resection of rectal cancer.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Segmental resection continues to gain favor in the treatment of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer, but there is limited data on outcomes as related to facility volume. The purpose of this study is to better define the relationship between segmentectomy outcomes, survival, and facility volume. METHODS: A retrospective cohort analysis was completed using the National Cancer Database. Patients with stage I disease undergoing segmentectomy 2004 to 2015 were included. Facility volume was determined per year; facilities performing higher than the median number of segmental resections were deemed high-volume and retained that classification for the remainder of the study. Propensity-score matching was used to compare 5-year survival and outcomes. RESULTS: Six hundred eighty-one centers performing 2481 segmentectomies were included. High-volume centers had higher utilization of minimally invasive approaches and lower conversion rates. There was no difference in readmission or 30-day mortality, but 90-day mortality differed between groups (1.2% vs. 2.6%, P = .03). High-volume centers were more likely to sample lymph nodes (88.5% vs. 80.7%, P < .01), and patients were less likely to have positives margins (1.3% vs. 2.7%, P = .03). Patients were no more likely to be upstaged based on facility volume (4.6% vs. 3.3%, P = .21). Overall, 5-year survival was better for patients treated at high-volume centers in the full cohort (69.5% vs. 66.4%, P = .014) but in propensity score-matched analysis this survival difference became non-significant (68.0% vs. 67.9% (P = .172). CONCLUSION: Segmentectomy performed at high-volume centers is associated with more frequent use of minimally invasive approach, more frequent negative margins, and improved 90-day survival.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Introduction: Colon cancer among young patients has increased in incidence and mortality over the past decade. Our objective was to determine if age-related differences exist for total positive nodes (TPN), total lymph node harvest (TLH), and lymph node ratio (LNR). Material and Methods: A retrospective review of stage III surgically resected colorectal cancer patient data in the National Cancer Database (2004−2016) was performed, reviewing TPN, TLH, and LNR (TPN/TLH). Results: Unadjusted analyses suggested significantly higher levels of TLH and TPN (p < 0.0001) in younger patients, while LNR did not differ by age group. On adjusted analysis, TLH remained higher in younger patients (<35 years 1.56 (CI 95 1.54, 1.59)). The age-related effect was less pronounced for LNR (<35 years 1.16 (CI 95 1.13, 1.2)). Conclusion: Younger patients have increased TLH, even after adjusting for known confounders, while age does not have a strong independent impact on LNR.

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Lymph node yield is the number of lymph nodes retrieved during oncological resection and histopathologically identified in the resection specimen. It is an important surrogate parameter for assessing the oncological radicality of the resection of gastrointestinal carcinomas, as well as a prognostic factor in these diseases. It remains unclear if and to what extent neoadjuvant chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or chemoradiotherapy, which have become established treatments for carcinoma of the esophagus, stomach, and rectum and are increasingly used in pancreatic carcinoma, affect the lymph node yield. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review with meta-analysis is conducted with the aim of summarizing the available evidence regarding the lymph node yield, an oncological surrogate marker, in patients with gastrointestinal carcinomas undergoing surgery after neoadjuvant therapy compared to those undergoing surgery without neoadjuvant therapy. METHODS: Randomized and nonrandomized studies comparing oncological resection of esophageal, stomach, pancreatic, and rectal carcinoma with and without prior neoadjuvant therapy are eligible for inclusion regardless of study design. Publications will be identified with a defined search strategy in 2 electronic databases: PubMed and Cochrane Library. The primary endpoint of the analysis is the number of lymph nodes identified in the resected specimen. Secondary endpoints include the number of harvested metastatic lymph nodes, operation time, postoperative complications, pathological TNM staging, and overall and recurrence-free survival time. Using suitable statistical methods, the endpoints between patients with and without neoadjuvant therapy, as well as in defined subgroups (neoadjuvant chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or chemoradiotherapy; and patients with esophageal, gastric, pancreatic, or rectal cancer), will be compared. RESULTS: The literature search and data collection started in October 2021. Results are expected to be published in mid-2022. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis will provide the most up-to-date and complete summary of the evidence on an association between neoadjuvant therapy and lymph node yield in gastrointestinal cancer surgery. The underlying hypothesis is that neoadjuvant therapy decreases the number and size of lymph nodes through lymphocyte depletion and radiation-induced fibrosis, thus leading to a lower possible lymph node yield. The findings of the meta-analysis will show if this hypothesis is supported by evidence. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD218459; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021218459. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/35243.

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Open surgical resection with regional lymphadenectomy is the standard of care for small bowel neuroendocrine tumors (SBNETs). There is no consensus on the role of minimally invasive surgery (MIS). This study aims to evaluate the current national trends for MIS in treating SBNETs and its association with lymph node (LN) yield. METHODS: The National Cancer Database was queried for patients with Stage I-III SBNETs who underwent surgery from 2010-2017. Time trends were examined using the Cochran-Armitage test. Chi-square tests, t test, and multivariable logistic regression assessed associations of surgical approach with patient, clinical, and facility characteristics. Kaplan-Meier curves and propensity score weighted Cox proportional hazards model were used to examine survival. RESULTS: Of the 11,367 patients with Stage I-III SBNETs, 46.5% (N = 5,298) underwent MIS. From 2010-2017, the proportion of MIS increased from 35.6% to 57.7% (P < 0.001). Patients of Stage I disease (OR = 1.23), Caucasian race (OR = 1.18), private insurance (OR = 1.29), and higher volume centers (OR = 1.29) were more likely to undergo MIS (all P < 0.02). The average number of LN harvested in the MIS cohort was greater than in the open surgery cohort (13.3 vs 11.8 LN, P < 0.001). MIS patients had shorter length of stay by 2 days compared to open surgery (5.4 vs 7.6 days, P < 0.001). LN yield ≥ 8 was associated with better survival (HR = 0.77, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The utilization of a MIS approach to treat Stage I-III SBNETs has increased, especially at higher volume centers. We did not observe an inferior LN harvest with the MIS cohort compared to the open surgery cohort.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

INTRODUCTION: Fewer than 10% of colon cancers are found at the splenic flexure. A standard surgical approach to these cancers has not been defined. The goal of this study was to compare lymph node harvest and post-operative morbidity between segmental resection and formal left hemicolectomy for splenic flexure colon cancers. METHOD: Patients diagnosed with a splenic flexure cancer were identified from the 2012-2018 ACS-NSQIP colectomy-targeted database. Patients were categorized based on type of surgical resection - left hemicolectomy with colorectal anastomosis or segmental colectomy with colocolonic anastomosis. Demographic, clinicopathologic, and post-operative outcomes were compared between groups. Factors independently associated with lymph node harvest, operative time, and post-operative morbidity were investigated by linear and binomial logistic regression models. RESULTS: A total of 3,049 patients underwent colectomy for a splenic flexure cancer. Of these, 83.6% had a segmental colectomy and 73% were performed by a minimally invasive approach. T- and N-stage did not differ between segmental and left hemicolectomy groups (p = 0.703 and p = 0.429, respectively). Inadequate nodal harvest (< 12 nodes) was infrequent and similar between the two procedures (7.4% vs. 9.1%, p = 0.13). Operative time was significantly shorter for segmental colectomy (213 ± 83.5 min vs. 193 ± 84.1 min, p < 0.0001) and major morbidity was similar between the two surgical techniques (8.4% vs. 8.9%, p = 0.75). After accounting for demographic, clinicopathologic, and operative factors, binomial logistic regression showed that type of procedure was not significantly associated with LN harvest (OR 0.80, 95%CI 0.54-1.17) or major morbidity (OR 1.17, 95%CI 0.36-3.81). However, on linear regression, segmental splenic flexure resection was associated with shorter operative time (estimate 20.29, 95%CI 12.61-27.97, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Splenic flexure resection for colon cancer is associated with an adequate lymph node harvest. Compared to a formal left hemicolectomy, a segmental resection also has a shorter operative time with equivalent post-operative morbidity.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Even though minimally invasive esophageal surgery (MIE) is spreading, questions remain regarding its oncological outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of oncological resection criteria in MIE. METHODS: All patients undergoing a two-way Ivor Lewis esophagectomy for esophageal or junctional cancer between 2010 and 2020 in a single tertiary upper gastrointestinal surgery ward were analyzed retrospectively. The following oncological criteria were analyzed: lymph node (LN) harvest and location, positive lymph node rate, margins, and R0 rates. They were compared between the MIE group (thoracoscopy + laparoscopy) and the hybrid group (H/O, thoracotomy + laparoscopy). RESULTS: Among the 240 patients included, 34 (14%) had MIE and 206 a hybrid esophagectomy. Main surgical indication was lower thoracic adenocarcinoma and the rate of neoadjuvant treatments administered (chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) was comparable between both groups (p = 1.0). LN harvest was significantly higher in the MIE group (31 ± 9 vs. 28 ± 9, p = 0.04) as well as thoracic LN harvest (14 ± 7 vs. 11 ± 5, p = 0.002). When analyzing patients according to T stage and response to neoadjuvant treatments, patients with T1 and T2 tumors and patients with a poor pathological response (TRG3, 4, 5) had a significantly higher LN harvest when undergoing a minimally invasive approach (p = 0.021 and p = 0.01, respectively). Positive LN rates (1.26 ± 3.63 in the MIE group vs. 1.60 ± 2.84 in the H/O group, p = 0.061), R0 rates (97% vs. 98.5%, p = 0.46) as well as proximal (p = 0.083), distal (p = 0.063), and lateral (p = 0.15) margins were comparable between both approaches. CONCLUSION: MIE seems oncologically safe and may even be better than the open approach in terms of LN harvest especially in patients with T1 and T2 tumors and in poor responders.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate 5-year overall survival (OS) in patients operated on for potentially curable right versus left-sided colon cancer and rectal cancer in England. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective propensity-score matched population-based cohort study was performed using data from English Hospital Episode Statistics, Office for National Statistics and National Bowel Cancer Audit dataset. Patients ≥18 who underwent elective resection for right-colon, left-colon, or rectal cancer between 2000 and 2015 were included. Patients were matched using propensity scores with the dependant variable being site of primary tumour (right-colon, left-colon, or rectum) and independent variables age, Charlson comorbidity index, operation year and Duke's stage. The primary outcome was 5-year overall survival (OS). RESULTS: A total of 167,606 patients were included. Following propensity-score matching 26,662 patients remained in each group (right-colon, left-colon, and rectum). 5-year OS was significantly worse for patients with Duke's A-C right-sided primaries compared to left-sided and rectal cancers in the unmatched (58.8% vs 66.7% vs 70.0% p=<0.001) and matched cohorts (62.6%, 66.8%, 65.8% p=<0.001). Superior OS for patients with left-sided colon cancer was demonstrated across all stages (Duke's A HR 0.845, p = 0.003; Duke's B HR 0.947, p = 0.045; Duke's C HR 0.783, p < 0.0001). Secondary analysis demonstrated equivalent OS between study groups when ≥22 lymph nodes were harvested. CONCLUSION: There is a significant difference in survival between comparable patients with right and left sided colon cancers in England. The quality and/or extent of mesenteric resection may be of particular importance in right-sided colon cancer.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

ABSTRACT Background Current threshold for minimum lymph node harvest may not be adequate for appropriate staging in colon cancer and newer surgical techniques may allow more lymph nodes to be harvested. The aim of this study was to examine the prognostic role of harvesting and examining lymph nodes higher in number than the recommended threshold (≥12), in patients with colon cancer. Methods This retrospective study included 179 patients that underwent open colon resection for adenocarcinoma of the colon. A D3 resection with high vascular ligation was made so that large number of lymph nodes was removed in most patients. Differences in overall survival between below and above three cutoff points (≥18, ≥24, ≥40) were estimated. Results During median 33 months of follow-up, 45 patients died and mean overall survival was 108.7 ± 5.6 months (95% CI, 97.7-119.7). The mean number of lymph nodes harvested and examined was 44.0 ± 25.7 (median 38; range, 7-150). No significant effect was found for three different cut-off values (≥18, ≥24, or ≥40 nodes) on mean overall survival (p > 0.05 for all comparisons). The same was true for the whole study population as well as for N0 (N negative) and N1-2 (N positive) patient subgroups, when they are analyzed separately. Conclusions Our findings do not support the survival benefit of substantially higher number of lymph nodes harvested in colon cancer.

RESUMO Fundamento: O limite atual para a coleta mínima de linfonodos pode não ser adequado para o estadiamento adequado no câncer de cólon e novas técnicas cirúrgicas podem permitir que um número maior de linfonodos seja coletado. O objetivo deste estudo foi examinar o papel prognóstico da coleta e exame de linfonodos em número maior do que o limite recomendado (≥ 12), em pacientes com câncer de cólon. Método: Este estudo retrospectivo incluiu 179 pacientes submetidos à ressecção aberta de cólon para adenocarcinoma de cólon. A ressecção D3 com ligadura vascular alta foi realizada para que um grande número de linfonodos fosse removido na maioria dos pacientes. As diferenças na sobrevida global entre abaixo e acima de três pontos de corte (≥ 18, ≥ 24, ≥ 40) foram estimadas. Resultados: Durante a mediana de 33 meses de seguimento, 45 pacientes morreram e a sobrevida global média foi de 108,7 ± 5,6 meses (IC 95%: 97,7-119,7). O número médio de linfonodos coletados e examinados foi de 44,0 ± 25,7 (mediana = 38; variação: 7-150). Nenhum efeito significativo foi encontrado para três valores de corte diferentes (≥ 18, ≥ 24 ou ≥ 40 linfonodos) na sobrevida global média (p >0,05 para todas as comparações). O mesmo foi verdadeiro para toda a população do estudo, bem como para os subgrupos de pacientes N0 (N negativos) e N1-2 (N positivos), quando analisados separadamente. Conclusões: Nossos achados não apoiam o benefício na sobrevida de um número substancialmente maior de linfonodos coletados no câncer de cólon.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Lymph node metastasis (LN+) is a prognostic factor in appendiceal cancers, but predictors and outcomes for LN+ in mucinous appendiceal adenocarcinoma (MAC) remain poorly defined. METHODS: Patients were identified from the 2010 to 2016 NCDB who underwent surgical resection as first-line management for Stage I-III mucinous appendiceal cancer. A LN+ risk-score model was developed using multivariable regression on a training data set and internally validated using a testing data set. Three-year overall survival (OS) was analyzed by Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: Of 1158 patients, LN+ (N = 244, 21.1%) patients were more likely to have higher pT group and grade of disease, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), and positive margins on univariate analyses. Predictive factors associated with LN+ on multivariable analysis included positive surgical margins (odds ratio [OR] 3.00, P <.0001), higher grade (moderately differentiated: OR, 2.16, P < .0001; poorly or undifferentiated: OR, 3.07, P < .0001), and LVI (OR, 7.28, P < .0001). A validated risk-score model using these factors was developed with good performance (AUC 0.749). LN+ patients had a worse 3-year OS compared with LN- patients (17.4% vs 82.6%, hazard ratio 1.96, P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: LN+ is associated with worse survival in patients with MAC. A risk-score model using margin status, LVI, and grade can accurately risk stratify patients for LN+.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVES: There is a strong association with improved survival for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have developed a pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant therapy. A national database was used to investigate factors associated with long-term survival in this cohort of patients. PATIENTS: Retrospective review was completed of the National Cancer Database of patients who obtained pCR and had neoadjuvant therapy for stage I to stage III NSCLC between 2004 and 2014. All patients had neoadjuvant chemotherapy with or without radiation therapy. METHODS: Univariate and multivariable analysis was performed on factors associated with overall survival (OS), including gender, clinical stage, and nodal count. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on the Commission on Cancer-recommended median number of lymph nodes (LNs) examined: 0 to 9 LNs and ≥10 LNs. Chi-square and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used to compare patient, hospital, and clinical variables between groups. RESULTS: Increased age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.02, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00-1.03), neoadjuvant radiation therapy (HR 1.48, 95% CI, 1.10-2.00), and pneumonectomy (HR 1.64, 95% CI, 1.22-2.22) were associated with worse survival in the 759-patient cohort. Multivariable regression demonstrated having ≥10 nodes harvested (HR 0.71, 95% CI, 0.56-0.89) was associated with improved survival as was every increase in LN harvest up to 17 LNs. No significant differences in 5-year OS were found between clinical stage I, II, and III, respectively (66.1% vs. 60.9% vs. 58.6%, P = .288). CONCLUSION: This study shows that younger age, increasing LN harvest, female sex, the absence of neoadjuvant radiation therapy and non-pneumonectomy resections are all associated with improved OS in patients with NSCLC who have developed pCR.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Robotic lung resection for lung cancer has gained popularity over the last 10 years. As with many surgical techniques, there are improvements in outcomes associated with increased operative volume. We sought to investigate lymph-node harvest and upstaging rates for robotic lobectomies performed at hospitals with varying robotic experience. The National Cancer Data Base was queried for patients with early stage non-small cell lung cancer who received lobectomy between 2010 and 2015. Hospitals were stratified into volume categories based on the number of robotic resections performed, as a proxy for robotic experience: low at ≤ 12, low-middle 13-26, middle-high 27-52, and high volume at greater than or equal to 53. Lymph-node counts and nodal upstaging were compared among these volume categories. 8360 robotic lobectomies were performed. Mean lymph-node counts were for low, low-middle, middle-high, and high-volume robotic lobectomies were 9.8, 11.4, 12.9, and 12.6, respectively (P < 0.001), while nodal-upstaging rates were 10.3%, 10.2%, 12.8%, and 13.4%, respectively (P < 0.001). Compared to low-volume hospitals, on multivariable analysis, high-volume robotic centers had increased nodal harvest (P < 0.001) and nodal-upstaging rates (P < 0.001). Robotic lobectomies performed at high-volume hospitals have greater lymph-node harvest and upstaging than low-volume hospitals.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Lymph node harvest during esophagectomy has been associated with improved survival for esophageal cancer but the value of enhanced lymph node harvest following complete pathologic response (pCR) is debated. This study investigated if increasing lymph node harvest in esophageal cancer patients with a pCR after neoadjuvant therapy and esophagectomy is associated with improved survival. METHODS: We queried the National Cancer Data Base for patients with esophageal cancer between 2004 and 2014 who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy or chemoradiation therapy followed by esophagectomy found to have pCR. Multivariable Cox modeling was utilized to evaluate the impact of increasing lymph node counts on overall survival (OS). RESULTS: A total of 1373 patients met inclusion criteria. A National Comprehensive Cancer Network compliant lymphadenectomy of ≥15 nodes was associated with improved survival (66.7% vs 51.1%; P < .001). Cox modeling showed that the first node cutoff to demonstrate a statistically significant improvement in OS was ≥7 nodes (hazard ratio [HR], 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.81, 0.68-0.97; 5-year OS: 54.2%) with a trend of decreasing and statistically significant HRs until ≥25 nodes (HR, 95% CI: 0.52, 0.37-0.72; 5-year OS: 68.4%). CONCLUSIONS: High negative node counts after neoadjuvant therapy and esophagectomy are associated with improved survival in patients with pCR.

Asunto(s)