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World J Gastroenterol. Jun 21, 2005; 11(23): 3586-3590
Published online Jun 21, 2005. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i23.3586
Nodal spread and micrometastasis within mesorectum
Cun Wang, Zong-Guang Zhou, Zhao Wang, Dai-Yun Chen, Yang-Chun Zheng, Gao-Ping Zhao
Cun Wang, Zong-Guang Zhou, Zhao Wang, Yang-Chun Zheng, Gao-Ping Zhao, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
Dai-Yun Chen, Department of Pathology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Professor Zong-Guang Zhou, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China. zhou767@21cn.com
Telephone: +86-28-85422525 Fax: +86-28-85422484
Received: May 12, 2004
Revised: May 13, 2004
Accepted: July 6, 2004
Published online: June 21, 2005
Abstract

AIM: To study the distribution of positive lymph nodes within mesorectum and to investigate the possible micrometastasis in negative lymph nodes.

METHODS: Large slice technique combined with tissue microarray was used in the pathologic study of 31 specimens.

RESULTS: A total of 992 lymph nodes were harvested and cancer metastasis was found in 148 lymph nodes. Some positive lymph nodes were located in the outer layer of mesorectum and more at the same site of mesorectum as the primary tumor. Circumferential margin lymph node metastasis was observed in nine cases. No significant difference in occurrence of micrometastasis was observed in different stage tumors.

CONCLUSION: Positive lymph nodes are distributed in mesorectum and micrometastasis can be found in negative lymph nodes.

Keywords: Rectal cancer; Mesorectum; Lymph node