Predicting Lymph Node Metastasis in Rectal Cancer: Development and Validation of a Machine Learning Model Using Clinical Data.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Rectal cancer (RC) is a common malignant tumor, with lymph node metastasis (LNM) being a critical determinant of patient prognosis. Traditional diagnostic methods have limitations, necessitating the development of predictive models using clinical data.

Objective

This study aimed to construct and validate machine learning (ML) models to predict LNM risk in patients with RC based on clinical data.

Methods

Retrospective data from 2454 patients with RC (SEER [Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results] database) were split into training (n=1954) and internal validation (n=500) sets. An external cohort (n=500) was obtained from the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University. Lymph node features identified via computed tomographic scans were integrate

SUBMITTER: Hou W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12456929 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature