Predicting the Risk of Lymph Node Metastasis in Early Rectal Cancer

As surgery for rectal cancer progresses to less invasive approaches there is increasing interest in local excision techniques. Paired with this is the progress of surgical techniques to achieve local excision. From traditional transanal excision techniques we have progressed to Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery (TEM), Transanal Minimally Invasive Surgery (TAMIS) and potentially transanal radical resection. The Achilles’ heel of local excision for rectal cancer is the inability to assess lymph node status in the mesorectum.

Source: Seminars in Colon and Rectal Surgery - October 22, 2014 Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Joseph L. Frenkel, John H. Marks Source Type: research