Objective This study analyzed the pattern and influence factors of lymph node metastasis in thoracic esophageal cancer to provide a reference for the lymph node dissection for esophageal cancer. Methods Clinical data of 177 patients with thoracic esophageal cancer receiving the lymph node dissection in our department from 2015 to 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 125 males and 52 females with a median age of 64 years, ranging from 18 to 86 years. We excluded cervical esophageal cancer and adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction and analyzed the relationship between lymph node metastasis and tumor pathological type, depth of invasion, degree of differentiation and length. Results Of the 177 patients, 76 (42.9%) were found to have lymph node metastasis. In the 4 977 dissected lymph nodes, metastasis was identfied in 361 (7.3%) lymph nodes. The rate of lymph node metastasis in thoracic esophageal carcinoma was not related to the location and length of the tumor (P>0.05), but related to the depth of invasion and the degree of differentiation (P<0.05). Conclusion Lymph node metastasis is prone to present in the early stage of thoracic esophageal cancer. According to the characteristics of lymph node metastasis in thoracic esophageal carcinoma, we need have a standardized, systematic and focused lymph node dissection.
Objective To analyze risk factors of lymphatic metastasis in early gastric cancer in order to discuss reasonable therapeutic regimen. Methods The clinical data of 148 patients with early gastric cancer surgically treated in the Anhui Tumor Hospital from February 2013 to November 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The relationship between the lymphatic metastasis with the clinicopathologic characteristics of the patient with the early gastric cancer was analyzed by the univariate and multiple regression analyses. Results The lymphatic metastasis were observed in 15 of 148 patients (10.14%), 1 in the 70 (1.43%) mucosal lesions and 14 in the 78 (17.95%) submucosal lesions. The results of the univariate analysis showed that the patients’ age, size of tumor, macroscopic type, invasion depth, and vascular invasion were related to the lymphatic metastasis in the early gastric cancer (P<0.050), the results of the multiple regression analysis showed that the invasion depth and vascular invasion were the independent risk factors of the lymphatic metastasis in the early gastric cancer (P<0.050). Conclusions Invasion depth and vascular invasion are closely related to lymphatic metastasis in early gastric cancer. Precise evaluation of lymphatic metastasis before treatment is very important to patient with early gastric cancer.
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.
In recent years, with the improvement of the sensitivity of examination equipment and the change of people's living environment and diet, the rate of thyroid cancer has risen rapidly, which has increased nearly five folds in 10 years. The pathogenesis, clinical manifestation, biological behavior, treatment and prognosis of thyroid carcinoma of different pathological types are obviously different. Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) can develop at any age, which accounts for about 90% of thyroid cancer. It progresses slowly and has favourable prognosis, but lymph node metastasis appears easily. Whether PTC is accompanied by lymph node metastasis has an important impact on its prognosis and outcome. The Raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B(BRAF)gene mutation plays a crucial role in PTC lymph node metastasis. Having an in-depth understanding of the specific role and mechanism of BRAF gene mutation in PTC is expected to provide new ideas for diagnosis and treatment of PTC.
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.