Distribution and patterns of lymph nodes metastases and micrometastases in the mesorectum of rectal cancer

摘要: Background and Objectives Facts buried in the mesorectum remain to be unveiled. This study investigated number, size, detailed distribution of lymph nodes metastases micrometastases within rectal cancer. Methods Thirty-one patients who underwent total mesorectal excision (TME) were treated with node revealing solution retrieve nodes, which submitted hematoxylin eosin (HE) examination immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. Results The mean number per case was 17.7. The size metastatic, micrometastatic, isolated tumor cells (ITC) harbored 5.2 mm, 4.5 3.3 respectively. Most metastatic (92.1%), micrometastatic ITC-involved (69.2%) located along superior artery (SRA). Posterior-wall might spread both sides simultaneously (P = 0.34), while lateral-wall preferably ipsolateral side versus contralateral (P = 0.012). Conclusion Most positive smaller than 5 mm distributed SRA. patterns related circumferential situation wall. Surgical cancer should completely remove whole mesorectum, especially avoid any damage on side. J. Surg. Oncol. 2007;96: 213–219. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.