Lymph Node Metastasis in Colorectal Cancer

Ming Jin; Wendy L Frankel

doi:10.1016/j.soc.2017.11.011

Lymph Node Metastasis in Colorectal Cancer

Surg Oncol Clin N Am. 2018 Apr;27(2):401-412. doi: 10.1016/j.soc.2017.11.011. Epub 2017 Dec 15.

Authors

Ming Jin¹, Wendy L Frankel²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, S305E Rhodes Hall, 450 West 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
² Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 129 Hamilton Hall, 1645 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. Electronic address: wendy.frankel@osumc.edu.

PMID: 29496097
DOI: 10.1016/j.soc.2017.11.011

Abstract

Pathologic examination of lymph nodes in patients with cancer remains crucial for postoperative treatment and prognosis prediction. In this article, the authors aim to review several important and challenging issues regarding lymph node metastasis in colorectal cancer using the AJCC staging manual, College of American Pathologists cancer protocol, as well as the literature. These topics include lymph node staging, the definition and controversies in tumor deposits, isolated tumor cells in lymph node and micrometastasis, lymph node ratio as a prognostic stratification factor, and neoadjuvant treatment effect in rectal cancer. Updates from the most recent AJCC 8th edition are included.

Keywords: Colon cancer; Lymph node ratio; Metastatic lymph node; Micrometastasis; Neoadjuvant treatment effect; Rectal cancer; Staging; Tumor deposit.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology*
Colorectal Neoplasms / therapy
Humans
Lymphatic Metastasis
Neoadjuvant Therapy*
Neoplasm Staging
Prognosis