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The Lymphatic System and Lymph Nodes of the Pancreas

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Textbook of Pancreatic Cancer

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Abstract

The lymphatic system of the pancreas is an intricate network of lymphatic vessels and nodes responsible for the drainage of head, neck, body, and tail of the pancreas. The complexity of this system presents variable drainage patterns across anatomical studies. The anatomical divisions have been extensively described in the literature with focus on clinical relevance regarding pancreatic pathologies, of which the nomenclature of the Japanese Pancreatic Society is used most widely. Knowledge and understanding of the lymphatic system around the pancreas are essential for physicians in providing diagnostic and treatment strategies for patients with pancreatic pathologies. Pancreatic cancer spreads rapidly to the regional lymph nodes with a high number of metastatic lymph nodes found even in early cancers, which in itself is considered a dismal prognostic factor. In this chapter the anatomy of lymphatic system of the pancreas as well as lymphadenectomy procedure are described. Future perspectives include understanding of pathomorphological features in lymph node metastases, as well as the effect of neoadjuvant treatment and immunotherapy.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Visceral, Transplant and Thoracic Surgery, Center of Operative Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria

    Margot Fodor & Stefan Stättner

  2. Department of General, Vascular and Visceral Surgery, Salzkammergut Klinikum, Vöcklabruck, Austria

    Stefan Stättner

Authors
  1. Margot Fodor
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  2. Stefan Stättner
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Correspondence to Stefan Stättner .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Stavanger University Hospital, The University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway

    Kjetil Søreide

  2. Chirurgie (VTT), Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Tirol, Austria

    Stefan Stättner

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Fodor, M., Stättner, S. (2021). The Lymphatic System and Lymph Nodes of the Pancreas. In: Søreide, K., Stättner, S. (eds) Textbook of Pancreatic Cancer. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-53786-9_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-53786-9_13

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-53785-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-53786-9

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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