Objective To evaluate the status of lymph node metastasis and reasonable procedure in gastric cancer. Methods The incidence of metastases from gastric cancer to various regional lymph node stations was studied in 1 505 patients with gastric cancer. The patients underwent surgical resection from January 1995 to December 2004.Results Lymph node metastasis were observed in 928 of 1 505 cases (61.7%). Lymph node metastasis frequency was found in groups No.1 （32.9%），No.3 （28.7%）， No.2 （20.4%）， and No.7 （18.6%） at upper third stomach cancer；in groups No.3 （32.5%）， No.4 （24.7%）， No.7 （20.6%）， and No.1 （17.3%） at middle third stomach cancer； in groups No.6 （33.7%）， No.3 （31.3%）， No.4 （25.6%）， and No.7 （21.5%） at lower third stomach cancer. Conclusions Distribution of metastatic lymph node is clearly related to the location of the tumor. Anatomical extent of lymph node metastases in gastric cancer provid surgical guidance for surgeons.
ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between rules of local metastasis and the operation for rectal cancer. MethodsLiteratures about rules of local metastasis and operation for rectal cancer were reviewed and analysed. ResultsThe study of rules of local metastasis results in the change and refinement of the operation for rectal cancer. Conclusion With the development of basic research for rectal cancer,the operation for rectal cancer is changing and refining, and the result of the treatment is more favourable.
Objective To investigate the role of vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) and its receptors in the formation of lymphatic vessels and lymphatic metastasis in gastric cancer. Methods By the domestic and overseas literatures review, the expressions of VEGF-C and its receptors in gastric cancer, their role in tumor lymphatic metastasis and prospect in treatment of gastric cancer were summarized.Results There was a significant correlation between VEGF-C and its receptors and the formation of lymphatic vessels and lymphatic metastasis in gastric cancer. VEGF-C high expression might be an early event in lymphatic metastasis and could be considered as an independent predictive factor of lymphaticmicrometastasis. By inhibition of gastric cancer cell from secrete VEGF-C or blockage of the interaction of VEGF-C with VEGFR3, it was possible to inhibit tumor angiogenesis and the invasion and distant spread of cancer cells, thereby decreased mortality and improve survival. ConclusionVEGF-C and its receptors may promote the formation of lymphatic vessels and lymphatic metastasis in gastric cancer. It may be an effective way to gastric cancer for the treatments against VEGF-C and its receptors.
Objective To study the rule of lymphatic metastasis and to evaluate the extent of curative resection in advanced colorectal cancer. Methods One thousand and five lymph nodes from 114 consecutive patients with colorectal cancer underwent extended D3 resection were analyzed and classified as peritumor, longitudinal, and upward spread distribution. Results The metastatic rate and incidence of lymph node metastasis in peritumor, longitudinal as well as upward spread (N2 and N3) was 43.9% and 37.2%, 32.5% and 15.9% as well as 29.8% (19.3% and 10.5%) and 12.1% (16.6% and 7.8%) respectively. The distribution rate of metastatic lymph nodes was 17.5% and 23.5% in the longitudinal and upward spread respectively. In the longitudinal spread, most of lymph node metastasis was seen within 10 cm. Within 2 cm on the anal side in rectal cancer, the metastasis rate was 5.5%, and there was no metastasis in 2-4 cm. The lateral metastasis rate was 0%, 8.7% and 12.5% in the rectosigmoid (Rs), upper rectum (Ra) and lower rectum (Rb) respectively. Conclusion Advanced colorectal cancer tend to metastasize to longitudinal and upward lymph nodes. Jump metastasis is also a feature. In the lower rectal cancer within 6 cm from the anal verge or beyond pT3, there is a high risk of lateral metastasis. Extended D3 radical resection is necessary for colic cancer, but high ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery root as well as lateral lymphadenectomy and total mesenteric excision should also be performed for rectal cancer. There is no residual tumor tissue in the anastomosis when the excision distance is beyond 2 cm from the anal margin in rectal cancer.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the diagnostic value of ultrasound for breast cancer with axillary sentinel lymph nodes, so as to provide evidence for clinical decision-making. MethodsWe searched the databases including PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library (Issue 12, 2013), CBM, CNKI, WanFang Data and VIP for studies about ultrasound in the diagnosis of breast cancer with axillary sentinel lymph nodes till December 31st, 2013. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, literature was screened, data were extracted, and methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated. Meta-analysis was then conducted using Meta-Disc 1.4 software. ResultsA total of 12 studies involving 2 188 cases were included. The pooled results of meta-analysis showed that sensitivity and specificity were 0.75 (95%CI 0.72 to 0.77) and 0.91 (95%CI 0.89 to 0.92), respectively; positive likelihood ratio and negative likelihood ratio were 6.54 (95%CI 4.68 to 8.89) and 0.22 (95%CI 0.15 to 0.33), respectively; diagnostic odds ratio was 33.59 (95%CI 17.87 to 63.12); and the AUC was 0.934 3. ConclusionUltrasound is has relatively high value in diagnosis of breast cancer with axillary sentinel lymph nodes. However, due to the influence caused by the limited quality and various potential heterogeneity, more high quality RCTs with large sample size are needed to further verify the above conclusion.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the value of ultrasound contrast agents injected subcutaneously for diagnosing sentinel lymph nodes of breast cancer. MethodsWe electronically searched databases including PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, CNKI, CBM, WanFang Data, and Medalink from their inception to July 2014, to collect diagnostic accuracy studies of ultrasound contrast agents injected subcutaneously for diagnosing sentinel lymph nodes of breast cancer. Two reviewers independently screened literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data and assessed the methodological quality of included studies. Then, meta-analysis was performed by using Meta-Disc 1.4 software. ResultsEight studies involving 311 sentinel lymph nodes were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that, the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio, and the area under curve (AUC) of SROC were 0.89 (95%CI 0.84 to 0.93), 0.81 (95%CI 0.72 to 0.87), 4.14 (95%CI 2.20 to 7.79), 0.15 (95%CI 0.10 to 0.25), 33.23 (95%CI 11.17 to 98.83), and 0.96 respectively. ConclusionContrast-enhanced ultrasound has a high value in diagnosis of sentinel lymph nodes of breast cancer. Due to limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high quality and large-scale studies are needed to verify the above conclusion.
ObjectivesTo develop an orthotopic xenografts model that can dynamically observe the growth of rectal cancer and lymphatic metastasis, and to preliminarily explore the feasibility of monitoring the growth and metastasis of rectal cancer by in vivo imaging system.MethodsAn orthotopic xenografts model was developed in nude mouse by rectal submucosal injection of red fluorescent protein-labeled human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line HCT 116. Then, the fluorescence signal from cancer cells was collected at different time points by means of in vivo imaging system, and the growth and metastasis of cancer cells in the rectum of nude mice was observed in real time. Finally, the model was evaluated by pathology.ResultsFifty visualized nude mouse models of orthotopic implantation and lymphatic metastasis were successfully constructed. At 2-7 weeks after implantation, the fluorescent protein of tumor were observed in all nude mouse with in vivo imaging system. After the orthotopic implantation, the volume of the transplanted tumor grew with the extension of time, and the integrated density expanded gradually. The number of caudal mesenteric lymph node metastases, para-aortic lymph node metastases, liver metastases and lung metastases increased time-dependent. The results of histological study was consistent with depending on lymph nodes to express fluorescent proteins to determine metastasis.ConclusionsIt is reliable and feasible to visualize the orthotopic implantation and lymphatic metastasis model of nude mice. The in vivo imaging system is simple and effective for real-time, non-invasive and dynamic observation of the growth of orthotopic xenografts and lymphatic metastasis in nude mice.
Objective To summarize the latest research progress on the relationship between cN0 multifocal papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) and central lymph node metastasis (CLNM) at home and abroad, so as to provide a reference for surgeons to balance the benefits and risks of surgery and select the best treatment plan. Method The latest studies on the relationship between CLNM and tumor characteristics of cN0 multifocal PTMC (including number of tumor foci, total tumor diameter, primary tumor diameter, total tumor surface area, etc.) were reviewed. Results Current domestic and international guidelines differ on whether cN0 PTMC should be used to prevent central lymph node dissection (pCLND). Proponents believe that pCLND could reduce the recurrence rate of disease and facilitate postoperative risk stratification and management under the premise of technical support. Opponents argue that it was not clear whether pCLND actually improves the prognosis of PTMC patients, but postoperative complications do correlate with pCLND. In order to guide the application of pCLND in the surgical treatment of cN0 PTMC, a large number of studies had reported the risk factors of CLNM in PTMC in recent years, among which multifocal was considered to be a very important risk factor for CLNM. In order to further understand the internal relationship between multifocal PTMC and CLNM, scholars at home and abroad quantified the feature of multifocal PTMC into various parameters, and studied the relationship between them and CLNM in multiple dimensions. It was found that total tumor diameter >1 cm, increased tumor number, total tumor surface area >3.14 cm2, diameter ratio <0.56, tumor volume >90 mm3 and bilateral multifocal PTMC might be the risk factors for increased CLNM risk in patients with cN0 multifocal PTMC. Conclusion These screened parameters are initially considered to be effective tools for predicting the risk of CLNM in multifocal PTMC. Multiple risk parameters coexist, especially in patients with multifocal PTMC characterized by bilateral intralar multifocal PTMC, who are expected to benefit more from pCLND. However, a large number of clinical studies are still needed to provide reliable evidence-based evidence for clinical diagnosis and treatment. In the future, by combining these valuable parameters, a scoring system can be constructed to predict the disease status of multifocal PTMC more accurately and identify patients with necessary pCLND, which will be of great significance for the appropriate treatment of PTMC.
The lymphatic system is the main way of tumor metastasis and diffusion. Esophageal cancer is one of the typical cancers that are prone to metastasis through the lymphatic system. At present, an increasing number of studies show that the interaction between tumor cells and lymphatic endothelial cells is the first step in tumor lymphatic metastasis, but the underlying molecular mechanism is unclear. This article reviews the role and changes of tumor-related lymphatic vessels and lymphatic endothelial cells in the process of tumor lymphatic metastasis, which lays a foundation for further study of the specific molecular mechanism of esophageal cancer lymphatic metastasis and provides a new treatment direction for esophageal cancer patients.