 |
|
Checking more lymph nodes linked to cancer patient survival
July 23, 2008May explain why patients at cancer centers and high-volume hospitals live longer
CHICAGO -- Why do patients with gastric or pancreatic cancer live longer when they are treated at cancer centers or high-volume hospitals than patients treated at low-volume or community hospitals?
New research from Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine found that cancer patients have more lymph nodes examined for the spread of their disease if they are treated at hospitals performing more cancer surgeries or those designated as comprehensive cancer centers.
Lymph node metastases (indicating the spread of cancer) have been shown to predict patients' prognosis after cancer tissue is removed from the stomach or pancreas. If too few lymph nodes are examined for malignant cells, a patient's cancer may be incorrectly classified, which alters the prognosis, treatment decisions and eligibility for clinical trials.
"The differences in nodal evaluation may contribute to improved long-term outcomes at cancer centers and high-volume hospitals for patients with gastric and pancreatic cancer," said Karl Bilimoria, M.D., lead author of the paper and a surgical resident at the Feinberg School. The study was published in the July issue of Archives of Surgery.
Current guidelines recommend evaluating at least 15 regional lymph nodes for gastric and pancreatic cancer, according to the study.
Researchers reported that patients at a high-volume hospital or a hospital designated as a National Cancer Institute comprehensive cancer center or as part of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network were more likely to have at least 15 lymph nodes evaluated than patients undergoing surgery at community or low-volume hospitals.
"Every reasonable attempt should be made to assess the optimal number of lymph nodes to accurately diagnose stage disease in patients with gastric and pancreatic cancer," said Bilimoria, who also is a research fellow at the American College of Surgeons. "The status of patients' lymph nodes is a powerful predictor of their outcome.
Northwestern University
Lymph node metastases (indicating the spread of cancer) have been shown to predict patients' prognosis after cancer tissue is removed from the stomach or pancreas. If too few lymph nodes are examined for malignant cells, a patient's cancer may be incorrectly classified, which alters the prognosis, treatment decisions and eligibility for clinical trials.
"The differences in nodal evaluation may contribute to improved long-term outcomes at cancer centers and high-volume hospitals for patients with gastric and pancreatic cancer," said Karl Bilimoria, M.D., lead author of the paper and a surgical resident at the Feinberg School. The study was published in the July issue of Archives of Surgery.
Current guidelines recommend evaluating at least 15 regional lymph nodes for gastric and pancreatic cancer, according to the study.
Researchers reported that patients at a high-volume hospital or a hospital designated as a National Cancer Institute comprehensive cancer center or as part of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network were more likely to have at least 15 lymph nodes evaluated than patients undergoing surgery at community or low-volume hospitals.
"Every reasonable attempt should be made to assess the optimal number of lymph nodes to accurately diagnose stage disease in patients with gastric and pancreatic cancer," said Bilimoria, who also is a research fellow at the American College of Surgeons. "The status of patients' lymph nodes is a powerful predictor of their outcome.
Northwestern University
Lymph Nodes Current Events and Lymph Nodes News RSSNIH scientists discover crucial control in long-lasting immunity
National Institutes of Health (NIH) scientists have identified a protein that plays matchmaker between two key types of white blood cells, T and B cells, enabling them to interact in a way that is crucial to establishing long-lasting immunity after an infection.
Endoscopic therapy may offer an alternative to surgery
Endoscopic therapy is emerging as an alternative to surgery in patients with esophageal cancer given the low likelihood of spread to the lymph nodes.
Extra copies of EGFR gene signal poor prognosis for vulvar cancer
A genetic fingerprint identified in patients with a gynecologic cancer may reveal candidates for targeted therapy.
Research suggests doctors should consider kidney-sparing surgery
A study of almost 1,500 kidney cancer patients treated at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center suggests that surgery to spare as much kidney tissue as possible may improve overall survival in patients who also have reduced kidney function at the time their cancer is diagnosed.
Cancer patients who receive neoadjuvant therapy followed by mastectomy may not need radiation
Early-stage breast cancer patients who exhibit limited lymph node involvement may not require post-surgery radiation therapy (RT) when they receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy before a mastectomy, according to researchers from The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.
Which is more accurate on diagnosis of rectal carcinoma?
The depth of transmural tumor invasion along the rectal wall layers and involvement of the regional lymph nodes constitute major factors in the prognosis of rectal cancer.
New predictive tool can help determine treatment of breast cancer patients
A new predictive measurement, called a PEPI score, could bring good news to many women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer - a low PEPI (preoperative endocrine prognostic index) score could show that they have little risk of relapse and can safely avoid chemotherapy after surgery.
How to differentiate abdominal tuberculosis from lymphomas?
The incidence of tuberculosis is increasing. Lymphadenopathy is the most common manifestation of abdominal tuberculosis and may, in up to 55% of cases without other evidence of abdominal involvement, be easily confused with lymphomas involving abdominal lymph nodes.
What induce local recurrence of rectal carcinoma?
It is well known that local recurrence is the most important prognostic factor of rectal carcinoma. However, even after undergoing radical resection of primary tumors and lymph nodes, about 4%-50% of patients with rectal carcinoma were reportedly with local recurrence.
Study suggests some breast cancer patients facing radiation after a mastectomy may be over-treated
A new study suggests standard radiation therapy for some breast cancer patients may not be medically required and may, therefore, be causing unnecessary serious side effects such as lymphedema and pulmonary problems.
More Lymph Nodes Current Events and Lymph Nodes News Articles
 | Ioachim's Lymph Node Pathology Now in its Fourth Edition, this comprehensive, practical, and thoroughly illustrated reference offers valuable guidance in the diagnostic interpretation of lymph node biopsies. It provides encyclopedic coverage of all the various nonmalignant lesions, lymphomas, other neoplasms, and metastatic tumors in lymph nodes. The discussion of each pathologic entity includes definition, clinical syndrome,... |
 | Lymph Nodes (Cambridge Illustrated Surgical Pathology) by Lawrence M. Weiss This text-atlas is a practical, integrated, and modern approach to lymph node pathology. Intended for both practicing pathologists and pathologists in training, it provides a personal view of lymph node diagnosis by one of the international leaders in the field. Illustrated with over 250 full-color photographs, this book covers the entire range of disease that may be encountered in lymph node... |
 | Normal Lymph Node Topography by E. Richter, T. Feyerabend, Eckart Richter, Thomas Feyerabend The topography of the normal lymphatic pathways is comprehensively presented here in axial CT scans. Schematic figures corresponding to each scan make it easy to understand the topography. The main chapters cover the head and neck, the thorax, the abdomen and the pelvis. A short introduction to the lymphatic drainage system is also given. The additional description of the lymphatic nodes for... |
 | Diagnostic Lymph Node Pathology (Hodder Arnold Publication) by Dennis H. Wright, Bruce J. Addis, Anthony S.-Y. Leong A comprehensive and highly illustrated guide to the diagnosis of lymph node pathology, both morphological evaluation (tissue architecture in biopsed and surgical specimens) and immunological markers are covered. Criteria for differential diagnoses are comprehensively presented together with illustrations of both classic and less obvious... |
| Lymph Node Pathology by Harry L., M.D. Ioachim Completely rewritten to reflect the many advances in the field of pathology that have taken place in the past decade, this comprehensive book provides the practicing pathologist with an up-to-date source of information on the pathology of lymph nodes. This second edition includes many new color illustrations, material on AIDS and monoclonal antibodies and provides practical checklist... | |
| Lymph node biopsy by Harry L Ioachim | |
| Surgical Pathology of the Lymph Nodes and Related Organs by Elaine Sarkin Jaffe National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland. New edition of a hematopathology reference for surgical pathology practitioners. Previous edition 1985. Halftone photomicrographs. 18 contributors, 17 U.S. DNLM: Lymphatic Diseases -... | |
| Biopsy Interpretation of Lymph Nodes (Biopsy Interpretation Series) by Steven H. Swerdlow This volume is a practical illustrated guide to the pathologic diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, and other diseases appearing in lymph node biopsies. Dr. Swerdlow's approach to lymph node diagnosis is grounded in a thorough knowledge of the varied ways in which lymphocytes can be characterized. A particular strength of the book is its systematic approach to the... | |
 | Pathology of Lymph Nodes by Lawrence M. Weiss City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA. Text on current topics in lymph node pathology, for pathologists. Includes Hodgkin's disease and the proposed Revised European-American Classification of Lymphomas. 17 contributors, 13 U.S. DNLM: Lymphoma -... |
| Lymph Node Biopsy: A Diagnostic Atlas by A H J Robb- Smith, Clive R Taylor |
| © 2008 BrightSurf.com |