A prospective analysis of lymph node retrieval in colorectal cancer: discrepancies, neoadjuvant impact, and practical implications.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Accurate lymph node (LN) retrieval is vital for colorectal cancer (CRC) staging and determining adjuvant therapy.

Methods

In this prospective study of 122 CRC specimens, we evaluated LN retrieval times, discrepancies between gross and microscopic LN counts, and the impact of neoadjuvant therapy.

Results

On average, dissecting each specimen took 50 min (range 15-295 min), with rectal and descending/sigmoid colon specimens often requiring multiple passes. Macroscopic dissection yielded an average of 45.1 LNs per specimen, whereas microscopic examination confirmed only 35.7 LNs on average. Neoadjuvant therapy did not alter macroscopic yields (p = 0.105), yet significantly reduced microscopic LN counts (p = 2.676 × 10⁵). T-stage corre

SUBMITTER: Biswas S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12521114 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature