The optimal number of lymph nodes examined for rectal cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant long-course chemoradiotherapy.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Numerous studies have documented a reduction in the number of lymph nodes (LNs) examined and the number of metastatic LNs in rectal cancer patients as a consequence of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT). It is plausible that the current guidelines advocating a specific number of LNs to be examined in rectal cancer surgery may be inappropriate for patients undergoing neoadjuvant therapy. This study aimed to determine the optimal number of LNs to be examined in rectal cancer patients treated with NCRT.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of clinicopathologic data from rectal cancer patients who underwent NCRT and radical resection at the Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences/National Cancer Center (NCC) from January 2004 to December 2015,

SUBMITTER: Xi K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12780658 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature