Xu Guan, Shuai Jiao, Rongbo Wen, Guanyu Yu, Jungang Liu, Dazhuang Miao, Ran Wei, Weiyuan Zhang, Liqiang Hao, Leqi Zhou, Zheng Lou, Shucheng Liu, Enliang Zhao, Guiyu Wang, Wei Zhang, Xishan Wang
BACKGROUND: Although the recommended minimal examined lymph node (ELN) number in rectal cancer (RC) is 12, this standard remains controversial because of insufficient evidence. We aimed to refine this definition by quantifying the relationship between ELN number, stage migration, and long-term survival in RC. METHODS: Data from a Chinese multi-institutional registry and the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database on stage I to III resected RC (2008 - 2017) were analysed to determine the relationship between ELN count, stage migration, and overall survival (OS) using multivariable models...
July 10, 2023: International Journal of Surgery