Discrepancies in the Reactivity of Mesorectal versus Lateral Lymph Nodes Post-Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy for Rectal Cancer: Insights from Radiological and Pathological Perspectives.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

The heterogeneous treatment response of lateral lymph nodes (LLN) and mesorectal lymph nodes (MLN) to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) remains poorly understood. This study investigates imaging regression patterns, pathological lymph node regression grade (LRG), and prognostic implications in patients with LARC undergoing radical resection and lateral lymph node dissection (LLND) after NCRT.

Patients and methods

A total of 110 patients with LARC undergoing radical resection and LLND after NCRT (2018-2024) were enrolled. Visible MLNs and LLNs on initial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were matched node-by-node on post-NCRT MRI, and short-axis (SA) diameter regression was calculated. Pathological LRG scores, including

SUBMITTER: Zhuang Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12454576 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature