Positive lateral pelvic lymph nodes in low rectal cancer: should we change our practice now?

Abstract

Background: The role of lateral lymph node dissection (LLND) in the treatment of patients with low rectal cancer with enlarged lateral lymph nodes (LLN+) is under investigation. Enthusiasm for LLND stems from a perceived reduction in local recurrence (LR). We aimed to compare the LR rate for LLN+ patients with LLN− patients, treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) and surgery, in a hospital that does not perform LLND. Methods: A retrospective study of all patients with clinical stage 3 low rectal cancer who completed nCRT and surgery between 2008 and 2017 at Western Health was performed. Outcomes for LLN+ patients were compared with LLN− patients. The primary outcome was LR. Second..