Lymph node size as a predictor of lymphatic staging in colonic cancer

Abstract

The contribution of lymph nodes smaller than 3 mm to nodal staging is limited. Increased node size is associated with increased nodal yield, and could be a confounder in the relationship between prognosis and nodal harvest in patients with N0 disease.

Lymph node biophysical remodeling is associated with melanoma lymphatic drainage

“…Changes in the mechanical properties and associated alterations in macrostructure, such as size, and microstructure, including the distribution of collagen fiber diameter and alignment as well as glycosaminoglycan content, may reflect the effects of disease (21, 43–47). Enlarged LNs are a prominent clinical manifestation in numerous types of cancers (39, 40, 48), and a correlation between LN stiffening and LN metastasis in a small cohort of patients with lung cancer has been described (49). Matrix remodeling, including deposition and cross‐linking, is characteristic of tumors (21) and lymphedema (50, 51).…”

Clinico‐pathological factors influencing lymph node yield in colorectal cancer and impact on survival: Analysis of new zealand cancer registry data

“…This confirms previous findings in Stage II–III colon cancer but there is currently no explanation for this phenomenon. One possibility is that a stronger host anti‐tumor immune response results in larger regional LNs that are detected more easily . Another suggestion is that individual variation in the number of mesenteric LNs may reflect variations in immune competence.…”

Lymph node hypoplasia is associated with adverse outcomes in node-negative colon cancer using advanced lymph node dissection methods

“…The results of a recently completed study by our group also revealed associations between the number of intratumoral T-lymphocytes and LN5 status, lymph node yield, and outcome (submitted for publication). Immune response was also described as a confounder of the prognostic relevance of lymph node count in another study [27]. Relationships of CCs with lymph node morphology, immune , f).…”