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A high lymph node yield in colon cancer is associated with age, tumour stage, tumour sub-site and priority of surgery. Results from a prospective national cohort study

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International Journal of Colorectal Disease Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Aim

To determine the relation between patient-related and histopathological factors, as well as the influence of national programs for diagnosing and treatment of colon cancer and a lymph node yield (LNY) ≥ 12.

Method

An analysis was carried out of the LNY in a nationwide Danish cohort treated by curative resection of stage I–III colon cancer in the period 2003–2011. The association between a LNY ≥ 12 and age, sex, body mass index, open vs. laparoscopic surgery, acute vs. elective surgery, pT stage, tumour sub-site and year of diagnosis was analysed.

Results

A total of 13,766 patients were eligible for the analysis. In total, 71.4 % of the patients had a LNY ≥ 12. In multivariate analysis, age, pT stage, tumour sub-site and priority of surgery were independently associated with the probability of a LNY ≥ 12. Odds ratios (ORs) were as follows: age <65 1, 65–75 0.685 (confidence interval (CI) 0.586–0.800), >75 0.517 (CI 0.439–0.609); T1 1, T2 2.750 (CI 2.168–3.487), T3 6.016 (CI 4.879–7.418), T4 6.317 (CI 4.950–8.063); right colon 1, left colon 0.568 (0.511–0.633); elective surgery 1, acute surgery 0.748 (CI 0.625–0.894). Moreover, year of diagnosis was associated with the probability of a LNY ≥ 12: OR 1.480 (CI 1.445–1.516) for each increasing year in the study period.

Conclusion

A LNY ≥ 12 is significantly associated with age, pT stage, tumour sub-site and priority of surgery. A significant increase in the LNY over the period of the study was observed, probably reflecting the effect of national programmes initiated by the Danish Colorectal Cancer Group.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark

    Jakob Lykke

  2. Department of Surgery, Roskilde Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Roskilde, Denmark

    Per Jess & Ole Roikjær

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  1. Jakob Lykke
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On behalf of the Danish Colorectal Cancer Group

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Correspondence to Jakob Lykke.

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Lykke, J., Jess, P., Roikjær, O. et al. A high lymph node yield in colon cancer is associated with age, tumour stage, tumour sub-site and priority of surgery. Results from a prospective national cohort study. Int J Colorectal Dis 31, 1299–1305 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-016-2599-1

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