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Lymph node metastasis in squamous cell carcinoma of the intrathoracic esophagus.

BACKGROUND: In esophageal carcinoma lymph node metastasis is one of the most important factors of prognosis. This prospective study evaluated the incidence and extent of lymph node metastasis, and assessed the relationship between the depth of tumor invasion and lymph node metastasis in esophageal carcinoma. METHODS: Between 1985 and 1996, tissue samples from 112 patients undergoing radical esophagectomy and gastric substitution for squamous cell carcinoma of the intrathoracic esophagus were collected. Patients with distant organ metastasis were excluded. All specimens were evaluated and sent for histopathologic examination. RESULTS: In 108 men and four women with a mean age of 63.1 years, the average number of dissected lymph nodes in one surgical procedure, was 30 per person. The most commonly involved nodes were the periesophageal (42.9%) and the perigastric (42.9%) nodes, followed by the recurrent laryngeal nerve (23.8%) and thoracic paratracheal (22.2%) nodes. For tumors in the upper third of the esophagus, the most frequently involved nodal groups were the periesophageal (28.6%) and the paratracheal (28.6%) nodes, followed by the recurrent laryngeal nerve (21.4%) the deep cervical (21.4%), and the perigastric (21.4%) nodes. For tumors in the middle third of the esophagus, the periesophageal nodes (27.3%) were most commonly involved, followed by the perigastric (18.2%) and the subcarina (10.6%) nodes. For tumors in the lower third of the esophagus, the perigastric lymph nodes (37.5%) were the most common nodal metastatic site, followed by the celiac (18.8%) and the recurrent laryngeal nerve (18.2%) nodes. Depth of tumor invasion was also found to correlate significantly with lymph node metastasis (p = 0.0015). CONCLUSIONS: Wide lymph node metastasis between the neck and the upper abdomen occurs frequently in squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. For potentially curable esophageal carcinomas, en-bloc esophagectomy with complete locoregional lymph node dissection may provide favorable local control of the lesion and more accurate tumor staging.

Adult↗

Intermittent adjuvant chemo-immunotherapy after resection of non-small cell lung cancer with multilevel mediastinal lymph node metastasis.

The prognosis of patients with multilevel mediastinal lymph node metastasis remains poor notwithstanding the progress in multimodal therapy in non-small cell lung cancer. We conducted a feasible study of intermittent adjuvant chemo-immunotherapy after surgery for patients with multilevel mediastinal lymph node metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer. Eleven patients with pathologically N2 or N3 lung cancer (10, adenocarcinomas; 1, squamous cell carcinoma) were enrolled. Five completely resected cases received systemic chemo-immunotherapy and six incompletely resected cases received local chemo-immunotherapy by an indwelling catheter in the thoracic cavity. Cisplatin-based and dose-dependent anti-cancer drugs were selected on the basis of sensitivity tests. Either adoptive immunotherapy with interleukin-2 and lymphokine-activated killer cell or combination of interferon gamma# and OK432 were administered after chemotherapy. This adjuvant therapy was performed every 2-3 months after surgery for 2 years. The 2-year survival rate for all cases were 72.7% and the 2-year disease-free survival were 36.4%. The 2-year survival rate for five completely resected cases and six incompletely resected cases was 80% and 66.7%, respectively. Combined intermittent chemo-immunotherapy after surgical resection of tumors may be a promising modality to improve the survival of patients with multilevel mediastinal lymph node metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer.

Adult↗

In vitro investigation of lymph node metastasis of colorectal cancer using ultrasonic spectral parameters.

Lymph node involvement is one of the major factors affecting the prognosis of colorectal cancer. Various imaging methods, including ultrasound and computed tomography, are not sufficiently sensitive or specific for reliably determining lymph node involvement. We investigated the feasibility of using ultrasonic tissue characterization (UTC) based on spectrum analysis of backscattered echo signals for diagnosing lymph node metastasis of colorectal cancer in vitro. Forty lymph nodes, including 17 metastatic and 23 nonmetastatic nodes, from 11 colorectal cancer operations were investigated. Lymph nodes were scanned using a clinical instrument; B-mode imaging was performed for each lymph node, and radiofrequency (RF) data were acquired. The UTC parameters, slope and intercept, were calculated from the normalized power spectrum of the backscattered echo signals from each lymph node. The mean values of UTC parameters of metastatic and nonmetastatic lymph nodes were compared. The accuracy of UTC in distinguishing metastatic from nonmetastatic lymph nodes was calculated using discriminant analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to compare the classification efficacy of UTC and B-mode ultrasound. UTC parameters demonstrated a significant difference in parameter values between metastatic and nonmetastatic lymph nodes. The overall accuracy in diagnosing the lymph node metastasis was 87.5% for UTC and 77.5% for B-mode ultrasound. ROC analysis produced an ROC curve area of 0.92 or 0.89 for UTC (depending on the performance-assessment algorithm) and 0.84 for B-mode ultrasound, which indicated that UTC performed markedly better than B-mode ultrasound in diagnosing metastatic lymph nodes. The advantages of UTC over conventional B-mode ultrasound in discriminating metastatic lymph nodes from nonmetastatic lymph nodes are extremely encouraging, and warrant an in vivo UTC study.

Aged↗

[A multianalysis study on clinicopathologic factors related to lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To study the function of CD44v6, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and cNOS in the invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer and their value in estimating early lymph node metastasis. METHODS: Logistic stepwise regression model was used to analyze the influence of ten clinicopathological factors on the lymph node metastasis in 119 cases of gastric cancer. RESULTS: Using the established equation to estimate lymph node metastasis, the stronger the CD44v6 expression, the higher the frequency of lymph node metastasis; the frequency of lymph node metastasis was the highest in patients with positive MMP-9 and negative TIMP-1 expression. However, the frequency was the lowest in those with negative MMP-9 and positive TIMP-1 expression and that of positive expression in hemangio-lymphangio-endothelial cells of gastric cancer was relatively high. CONCLUSIONS: The intensity of CD44v6 expression, the imbalance between MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expressions and cNOS mRNA expression in the endothelial cells were highly useful for the preoperative diagnosis of lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer patients.

Adult↗

Long-term survival in 2,505 patients with melanoma with regional lymph node metastasis.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the long-term outcomes of patients with melanoma metastatic to regional lymph nodes. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Regional lymph node metastasis is a major determinant of outcome for patients with melanoma, and the presence of regional lymph node metastasis has been commonly used as an indication for systemic, often intensive, adjuvant therapy. However, the risk of recurrence varies greatly within this heterogeneous group of patients. METHODS: Database review identified 2,505 patients, referred to the Duke University Melanoma Clinic between 1970 and 1998, with histologic confirmation of regional lymph node metastasis before clinical evidence of distant metastasis and with documentation of full lymph node dissection. Recurrence and survival after lymph node dissection were analyzed. RESULTS: Estimated overall survival rates at 5, 10, 15, and 20 years were 43%, 35%, 28%, and 23%, respectively. This population included 792 actual 5-year survivors, 350 10-year survivors, and 137 15-year survivors. The number of positive lymph nodes was the most powerful predictor of both overall survival and recurrence-free survival; 5-year overall survival rates ranged from 53% for one positive node to 25% for greater than four nodes. Primary tumor ulceration and thickness were also powerful predictors of both overall and recurrence-free survival in multivariate analyses. The most common site of first recurrence after lymph node dissection was distant (44% of all patients). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with regional lymph node metastasis can enjoy significant long-term survival after lymph node dissection. Therefore, aggressive surgical therapy of regional lymph node metastases is warranted, and each individual's risk of recurrence should be weighed against the potential risks of adjuvant therapy.

Adult↗

[Study of para-aortic lymph node metastasis of gastric cancer subjected to superextensive lymph node dissection].

Para-aortic lymph nodes (n4), were dissected out to the technical extreme (superextensive lymph node dissection) from 129 gastric cancer cases, and were subjected to the histological study for metastasis. Following observations led us to the conclusions in reference to the significance of n4 node dissections on curability of surgery. 1) Among 25 cases with n4(+) metastasis n3 was free [n3(-)] in 11 cases (44.0%). 2) ps(+) cancer presented high rate of n4(+) (31.5%). 3) n4(+) occurred irrespective of the location of the cancer, with particularly high rate of occurrence among CMA and cancers. 4) The rate of the metastasized lymph nodes to the total number of the n4 lymph nodes, was found low (34.9%) in cases with n3(-), and high (90.1%) with n3(+). 5) The cumulative survival rate of the cases with n4(+) was found significantly high with n3(-), as compared to n3(+) cases. The lymphatic drainage from the stomach seems more direct and/or more abundant to the n4 than to the n3 nodes. Such observation coincides with our experience that the n4 nodes are involved in metastasis in earlier timing and in higher incidence than n3 nodes. These results warn the present evaluation of curability in which the n4 node dissection is not performed. It is our opinion that the thorough dissection extended to the n4 nodes (superextensive lymph node dissection) is warranted, particularly in order to improve the curability of n3(-)-n4(+) cases.

Aorta, Abdominal↗

[Clinical characteristics and prognosis of renal cell carcinoma. Statistical evaluation of possible determinants for distant metastasis, venous tumor thrombi, and lymph node metastasis].

To clarify the recent clinical characteristics of renal cell carcinomas and to evaluate possible determinants for metastasis and venous tumor thrombi, the authors reviewed data from 99 renal cell carcinoma patients treated at Nagoya University Hospital between 1980 and 1989. According to Robson's classification, stage I tumors were found in 48 patients, stage II in 9, stage III in 16, and stage IV in 26. Incidentally detected tumors appeared to be on the increase in recent years. Grade 1 tumors were significantly associated with low-stage tumors and expansive growth. Univariate and multivariate analyses using a logistic regression model demonstrated that venous tumor thrombi and histological grade were significantly related to distant metastasis. Univariate analysis revealed relative risks of 4.7 for venous tumor thrombus presence (pV1b-pV2 vs. pV0-pV1a, p = 0.005) and 8.5 for histological grade (grades 2 and 3 vs. grade 1, p = 0.04). Local invasion (pT3 vs. pT2a-pTb: a relative risk of 7.5, p = 0.0009) and infiltration pattern (INF beta and INF gamma vs. INF alpha: a relative risk of 11.5, p = 0.002). were associated with venous tumor thrombi. Local invasion (pT3 vs. pT2a-pT2b: a relative risk of 6.6, p = 0.03) was the only significant determinant for lymph node metastasis. The 5-year actuarial survival rate was 60.0% for all 99 patients. The 5-year survival rates for stage I and II tumors were, respectively, 91.8% and 64.8%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Carcinoma, Renal Cell↗

An immunohistochemical study of E-cadherin expression in human squamous cell carcinoma of the skin: relationship between decreased expression of E-cadherin in the primary lesion and regional lymph node metastasis.

E-cadherin is a Ca(2+)-dependent, intercellular adhesion molecule that is specifically expressed in epithelial tissues and is essential for maintaining intercellular connections. It has been reported that E-cadherin expression of tumor cells is often decreased in some types of metastasizing carcinomas as compared with those without metastasis. We immunohistochemically examined the expression of E-cadherin with anti-E-cadherin monoclonal antibody and compared primary lesions of human squamous cell carcinoma of the skin (SCC) with regional lymph node metastasis to those without regional lymph node metastasis. Tumor samples from fifty-five cases of SCC (32 cases of SCC without metastasis and 23 cases with metastasis) were formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded, and examined. E-cadherin was reduced or absent in 39 (70.9%) out of 55 cases of SCC, and in 21 (91.3%) of 23 cases with regional lymph node metastasis. Our results suggest that the decreased expression of E-cadherin in the primary lesion is correlated with regional lymph node metastasis in SCC and that it is more frequently correlated with well-differentiated than with poorly differentiated SCC. E-cadherin may be useful as a marker for metastatic potential in well-differentiated SCC.

3,3'-Diaminobenzidine↗

Usefulness of inhibiting the lymph node metastasis in human gastric carcinoma by B7-1 gene transfection.

INTRODUCTION: Lymph node metastasis is one of the crucial prognostic factors in gastric cancer. We have reported that ICAM-1 gene transfection was effective against lymph node metastases of gastric cancer. B7-1, one of the co-stimulatory factors, was reported to induce cytotoxic T lymphocytes when using melanoma and bladder cancer cell lines, as well as ICAM-1. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of B7-1 on lymph node metastasis by B7-1 gene transfection into gastric cancer cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We transfected B7-1 genes into a gastric cancer cell line (OCUM-2MLN) and analyzed the effect of B7-1 transduction on lymph node metastasis, the in vitro adhesiveness and cytotoxicity assay of mononuclear lymphocytes to cancer cells and lymph node metastatic ability after orthotopic implantation of gastric cancer cells in vivo. RESULTS: We revealed that mononuclear lymphocytes showed significantly stronger adherence and cytotoxicity to B7-1 transfected cells (2MLN/B7) than its parent OCUM-2MLN cells. The tumor growth rate of 2MLN/B7 xenograft was significantly slower than OCUM-2MLN xenograft in nude mice. In orthotopic implantation experiments for nude mice, 2MLN/B7 cells in stomach developed significantly less lymph node metastasis than OCUM-2MLN cells. Histologic findings showed that leukocytes were intensively infiltrated in both the 2MLN/B7 tumors and its metastatic lesions, however, were scarcely observed in the lesions associated with 2MLN cells. CONCLUSION: B7-1 may play an important role in inhibiting lymph node metastasis by the mechanism of enhanced immunogenicity, and that B7-1 gene transduction might be effective against lymph node metastases of gastric cancer.

Animals↗

[Magnetic resonance imaging diagnosis of cervical lymph node metastasis from lingual squamous cell carcinoma].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: The identification of cervical lymph node metastasis is very important for the treatment and prognosis prediction of lingual squamous cell carcinoma. Simple palpation is unsatisfactory for the accurate diagnosis of cervical lymph node metastasis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been increasingly used to evaluate cervical lymph node status. This study was to explore MRI features of cervical lymph nodes metastasis from lingual squamous cell carcinoma, and to investigate the role of MRI in diagnosing this kind of metastasis. METHODS: The MR images of 448 nodal levels in 92 patients with lingual squamous cell carcinoma were analyzed, and compared with their pathologic diagnoses. RESULTS: Of the 488 nodal levels, 166 (37.1%) were proved pathologically as metastases, level II was the most commonly involved. False-positive and false-negative rates of MRI diagnoses were higher in levels I, and II than in levels III, IV, and V. There is no statistical difference in the incidence of cervical lymph nodes metastases of different nodal levels between squamous cell carcinoma of corpus linguae and that of radix linguae. Obvious central nodal necrosis was seen in 76 nodal levels at MR images,which were proved pathologically as metastatic nodes. Extracapsular nodal invasions in 34 nodal levels had irregular contour, and infiltration of adjacent fat tissues around lymph nodes, among which carotid artery walls were encased in 2 cases. With the diagnostic criteria of metastasis as the minimal nodal diameter of >/= 8 mm or central nodal necrosis, the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of MRI were 79.5%, 90.4%, and 86.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of cervical lymph nodes metastasis from lingual squamous cell carcinoma is highest in level II. MRI diagnostic criteria of cervical lymph nodes metastasis are nodal size, central nodal necrosis, and irregular contour of lymph nodes. MRI may diagnose lymph node metastasis in levels III-V with high accuracy, While its diagnosis accuracy on levels I-II is affected by the sites, which weakens its clinical value.

Adult↗

Lymph node metastasis as a significant prognostic factor in early gastric cancer: analysis of 1,136 early gastric cancers.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer is the most frequent cancer and the leading cause of death from cancer in Korea. Early gastric cancer has been defined as a gastric carcinoma confined to mucosa or submucosa, regardless of lymph node status, and has an excellent prognosis with a > 90% 5-year survival rate. From 1974 to 1992, we encountered 7,606 cases of gastric cancer and performed 6,928 gastric resections. Among them, 1,136 cases were early gastric cancer (14.9% of all gastric cancer cases and 16.4% of resected gastric cancer cases). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 1,136 cases of early gastric cancer was performed to evaluate the prognostic significance of clinicopathologic features (sex, age, tumor location, gross type, histologic type, depth of invasion, status of lymph node metastasis, resection type). Lymph node metastasis was classified into three groups: N(n = 0) for no lymph node metastasis; N(n = 1-3) for one to three lymph node metastases; and N(n > 3) for more than three lymph node metastases. All patients received radical total or subtotal gastrectomy with lymph node dissection. RESULTS: In univariate and multivariate analysis of these nine factors, the only statistically significant prognostic factor was regional lymph node metastasis (p < 0.001). The others had no statistically significant association with prognosis. Lymph node metastasis was present in 178 cases (15.7%). The factors associated with the lymph node metastasis were depth of invasion and gross type [protruding type (e.g., types I, IIa)]. One hundred twenty-five of these patients had one to three lymph node metastases, and 53 cases had more than three lymph node metastases. The difference in 5-year survival rates among these groups was statistically significant: 94.5% for N(n = 0), 88.3% for N(n = 1-3), and 77.3% for N(n > 3). CONCLUSION: We propose that for early gastric cancer, lymph node dissection is necessary in addition to gastric resection, at least in patients with a high risk of lymph node metastasis.

Adult↗

Lymph node metastasis in resectable esophageal cancer.

The prognostic significance of lymph node metastasis was analyzed in 41 patients with locally resectable epidermoid carcinoma of the esophagus. The 5-year survival rate was 50.9% if no metastases or only single node metastasis was present and 29.8% when the lymph node metastasis was confined to one anatomic compartment. All patients with metastasis to two nodes died within 4 years of operation, and all with involvement of three nodes or more died within 3 years. Even with no metastases or single node metastasis, three of 22 patients (13.6%) died of recurrence or metastasis or a combination of the two. Although nodal dissection may be beneficial for selected patients, our results indicate that the survival period is short in the presence of a small number of lymph node metastases, even if the local disease is resectable and despite nodal dissection. Cure is unlikely when cervical or abdominal nodes are involved, and a conservative approach may be indicated for such patients.

Abdomen↗

[Relationship between lymph node metastasis and pathologic features of invasive micropapillary carcinoma of breast].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between lymph node metastasis and pathologic features of invasive micropapillary carcinoma (IMPC) of the breast. METHODS: Histopathologic features and status of lymph node metastasis of fifty-one cases of IMPC were studied by microscopic examination, immunohistochemical staining (VEGF-C and VEGFR-3) and analysis of lymphatic vessel density. RESULTS: (1) The number of positive lymph nodes in histologic grade II/III IMPCs was significantly higher (mean 12.5) than that in histologic grade I tumors (mean 4.0). (2) The incidence of nodal metastases in IMPCs with lymphocyte infiltration (+)/(++) was significantly higher (27/28, 96.4%) than that in tumors with no or minimal lymphocyte infiltration (-)/(+/-) (14/23, 60.9%), and the number of positive nodes was also higher (mean 14.4) in tumors with lymphocyte infiltration compared with those without (mean 4.6). (3) In IMPCs with histologic grade II/III, the expression of VEGF-C was significantly higher than that of histologic grade I tumors (P = 0.03). VEGF-C expression was in positive correlation with lymph node metastasis (P = 0.006) and lymphatic vessel density (P = 0.009). Lymph node metastasis was also correlated with lymphatic vessel density (P = 0.007). (4) The percentage of IMPC component in the tumor did not correlate with nodal metastasis. The metastatic foci in lymph node were all IMPC or mainly IMPC. (5) Fourteen of twenty-eight cases (14/28, 50%) of IMPC containing ductal carcinoma in-situ (DCIS) were DCIS of micropapillary type. CONCLUSIONS: The histologic grade, lymphatic vessel density and lymphocyte infiltration are key histological features that are correlated with lymph node metastasis of IMPC. The expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 may play an important role in the development of lymph node metastasis of IMPC. Micropapillary type DCIS may be the early stage of IMPC.

Adult↗

Analysis of clinicopathologic factors predicting para-aortic lymph node metastasis in endometrial cancer.

The purposes of this study were to compare the relationships between para-aortic lymph node metastasis and various clinicopathologic factors to evaluate whether para-aortic lymph node dissection is necessary when treating endometrial cancer. A retrospective study was performed on 841 patients with endometrial cancer, who underwent the initial surgery at the Keio University Hospital. Clinicopathologic factors related to para-aortic lymph node metastasis significant on a univariate analysis were analyzed in a multivariate fashion using a logistic model. According to the multivariate analysis, the clinicopathologic factor most strongly related to the existence of para-aortic lymph node metastasis was positive pelvic lymph node metastasis (P < 0.01). Among the 155 patients who underwent pelvic and para-aortic lymph node dissection, the difference of 5-year overall survival by the presence of retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis was examined by Kaplan-Meier method. The prognosis was poor even if para-aortic lymph node dissection was performed in cases of positive para-aortic lymph node metastasis. In conclusion, when deciding whether to perform para-aortic lymph node dissection in patients with endometrial cancer, it is necessary to consider the pelvic lymph nodal status. If there is no pelvic lymph node metastasis, it could not be necessary to perform para-aortic lymph node dissection.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Rate of detection of lymph node metastasis is correlated with the depth of submucosal invasion in early stage gastric carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Gastric carcinoma invading the submucosa is often accompanied by lymph node metastasis. However, the relation between the depth of submucosal invasion and the status of metastasis has not been investigated. The objective of this study was to clarify the relation between lymph node status and the histologic features of gastric carcinoma invading the submucosa. METHODS: The histopathology of 118 patients who underwent gastrectomy and lymph node dissection for gastric carcinoma invading the submucosa was examined. These pT1 tumors with invasion of the submucosa were confirmed by histologic examination of the resected specimens. Tumor size, depth of submucosal invasion, histologic type, and macroscopic type were investigated in association with presence or absence of and anatomic level of lymph node metastasis. RESULTS: Among the 118 patients, 16 (14%) had lymph node metastasis, and the status of metastasis significantly correlated with tumor size and depth of submucosal invasion. The frequency of metastasis to perigastric lymph nodes and extragastric lymph nodes was 0% and 0% for < or =1-cm tumors, 5% and 1% for 1- to 4-cm tumors, and 46% and 15% for >4-cm tumors, respectively. There was no lymph from a node metastasis in tumors with less than 300 microm of submucosal invasion. The frequency of lymph node metastasis for tumors with 300-1000 microm and >1000 microm of submucosal invasion were 19% and 14%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Tumor size and depth of submucosal invasion serve as simple and useful indicators of lymph node metastasis in early stage gastric carcinoma. Optimal lymph node dissection levels are as follows: 1) local resection (D0) for lesions < or =1 cm, 2) limited lymph node dissection (D1) for 1- to 4-cm lesions, and 3) radical lymph node dissection (D2) for lesions >4 cm. When submucosal invasion of a locally resected tumor is more than 300 microm, additional gastrectomy and lymph node dissection are necessary.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Distant lymph node metastasis of early gastric cancer.

Among 601 patients with early gastric cancer (EGC), the clinicopathological findings of 5 patients (invasion of the mucosal layer in 2 and of the submucosal layer in 3) with distant lymph node metastasis according to TNM classification (third- or fourth-tier lymph node metastasis according to the Japanese classification) were investigated. The proliferating-cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression of EGC was also examined immunohistologically. The sites of distant metastasis were the nodes at the root of the mesentery, in the hepatoduodenal ligament, and the paraaortic nodes. While the PCNA-positive rate of EGC with distant lymph node metastasis (35.4%) was significantly higher than that of EGC without lymph node metastasis (14.7% P = 0.01), it was similar to that of EGC with perigastric lymph node metastasis. The cumulative survival rate of the EGC patients with distant lymph node metastasis (5-year survival rate 20.0%) was significantly lower than that without lymph node metastasis (88.2%, P < 0.0001), first-tier lymph node metastasis (76.9%, P < 0.04), or second-tier lymph node metastasis (77.1%, P < 0.04). Thus, although the prognosis of EGC patients with distant lymph node metastasis was poor, a dissection of the distant lymph nodes should be performed when metastasis is suspected.

Adenocarcinoma↗

[Significance of resecting the head of the pancreas for the treatment of gallbladder cancer from the perspective of surgical results and mode of lymph node metastasis].

The significance of resecting the head of the pancreas was clinicopathologically investigated, predominantly by examining the mode of lymph node metastasis, in patients with gallbladder cancer. Of 60 patients who underwent resection of gallbladder cancer, 24 patients (40.0%) had lymph node metastasis. The breakdown of lymph node metastases was as follows: 12b (24.0%), 16 (21.7%), 13 (17.1%), 8 (12.2%), 12c (12.0%), 12p (8.0%), and 6 (6.3%). Of 45 patients with advanced gallbladder cancer, 14 patients survived more than 5 years after surgery. In the absence of lymph node metastasis, there were some long-term survivors following D0 dissection, gallbladder resection, or liver bed resection. However, all five long-term survivors with lymph node metastasis underwent S4aS5 resection combined with pylorus preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (PPPD) and D3 dissection. Seven patients had number 13 lymph node metastasis, and only two n2 patients who underwent S4aS5 resection combined with PPPD and D3 dissection, survived more than 5 years. There were no long-term survivors with n3 lymph node metastasis. Of the 50 patients who underwent curative resection, 13 patients experienced recurrence: in the liver in six patients, in the peritoneum in four patients, in the lymph nodes in four patients, in the bone in two patients, in the lung in one patient, and local in one patient (including duplicate cases). Of the four patients with lymph node recurrence, two demonstrated number 12 and/or number 13 lymph node metastasis at the time of surgery and underwent bile duct-conserving D2 dissection, although cancer recurred in the head of the pancreas, probably due to recurrence in number 13 lymph node. Extensive resection including resection of the head of the pancreas was therefore effective in patients with up to n2 lymph node metastasis as long as the cancer could be completely sected.

Adult↗

[Clinical study on papillary thyroid carcinoma presenting with lymph node metastasi].

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) may metastasize to cervical lymph nodes. It is, however, uncommon for a palpable neck node alone to lead to the diagnosis of this disease when it is not apparent at presentation. Standard treatment for such cases has not yet been established. We retrospectively analyzed clinical courses in 8 patients with thyroid papillary carcinoma presenting with palpable lymph node metastasis at Hokkaido University Hospital between 1990 and 2003. Three had high thyrogloblin in cervical cystic lesions, leading to the diagnosis of PTC with lymph node metastasis. In 4, PTC was diagnosed by pathological examination of cervical lymph nodes initially diagnosed as lateral cervical cysts. Preoperative examination did not indicate PTC within the gland in any case. All 8 were alive at the last visit after follow-up from 23 to 150 months (mean: 78 months). Total thyroidectomy was done on 4 and thyroid lobectomy on 3. Pathological examination of resected thyroid glands confirmed multifocal papillary carcinoma from 4 mm to 15 mm in diameter. Six underwent unilateral neck dissection and 1 chose bilateral dissection. The other patient received no additional surgery on either the thyroid or neck after the single enlarged lymph node initially diagnosed as a lateral cervical cyst was resected. Postoperative radioiodine treatment was done in 2 undergoing total thyroidectomy. Recurrence in the cervical area were observed in 1 whose neck dissection was insufficient. Based on these observations, we concluded that patients who undergo thyroid lobectomy and adequate neck dissection may enjoy longer survival than those treated with total thyroidectomy without sacrificing thyroid and parathyroid function. We therefore propose a prospective study on the effectiveness of thyroid lobectomy with neck dissection including positive nodes in patients with occult PTC presenting with lymph node metastasis.

Adult↗