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Lymph node yield following colorectal cancer surgery
Author(s) -
Field Kathryn,
Platell Cameron,
Rieger Nicholas,
Skinner Iain,
Wattchow David,
Jones Ian,
Chen Frank,
Kosmider Suzanne,
Wohlers Tony,
Hibbert Marienne,
Gibbs Peter
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
anz journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.426
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-2197
pISSN - 1445-1433
DOI - 10.1111/j.1445-2197.2010.05571.x
Subject(s) - medicine , colorectal cancer , lymph node , stage (stratigraphy) , prospective cohort study , disease , lymph , cancer , surgery , pathology , biology , paleontology
Background: Lymph node yield (LNY) is a measure of quality of care and a strong prognostic factor for outcome from colorectal cancer (CRC). The main aims of this study were to determine LNY across multiple Australian centres and the clinico‐pathologic factors that influence yield. Methods: Analysis of data from prospective CRC databases at 11 Australian centres between January 1988 and May 2008 was undertaken utilizing the linkage and analysis resources of BioGrid Australia. The LNY depending on different clinico‐pathologic patient characteristics was evaluated. Results: In total, 10 082 cases (54.1% men, 45.9% women) were identified. Median LNY was 12 (range 0–174). LNY increased significantly ( P < 0.001) over time, from a mean of 8.5 in 1988 to 13 in 2008. LNY also varied significantly between surgical centres. Female gender, younger age, right‐sided disease, higher T and N stage, specific operation types and absence of preoperative radiotherapy were all significantly associated with higher LNY. Conclusions: While varying across centres, the median LNYs in Australia are acceptable and have improved significantly over recent years. Multiple clinico‐pathologic factors significantly influence the number of nodes retrieved.