Research ArticleClinical Studies

Prognostic Utility of Apical Lymph Node Metastasis in Patients With Left-sided Colorectal Cancer

LIMING WANG, YASUMITSU HIRANO, GREGORY HENG, TOSHIMASA ISHII, HIROKA KONDO, KIYOKA HARA, NAO OBARA, MASAHIRO ASARI and SHIGEKI YAMAGUCHI
In Vivo September 2020, 34 (5) 2981-2989; DOI: https://doi.org/10.21873/invivo.12129

Abstract

Background: Unlike the tumor nodes metastasis (TNM) lymph node classification, based solely on counts of nodal metastases, the Japanese system of classifying colorectal carcinoma (CRC) focuses on regional lymph node spread. In this study, we explored the prognostic utility of inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) apical lymph node (APN) metastasis. Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective study of patients with stage III left-sided CRC. All enrollees were subjected to D3 resection between April 2007 and December 2016 at the International Medical Center of Saitama Medical University and then stratified by histologic presence (APN+ group) or absence (APN− group) of tumor in APNs examined postoperatively. Ultimately, propensity score matching was invoked (1:2) and COX regression analysis was conducted, determining group rates of relapse-free survival (RFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). Results: A total of 498 patients were studied, grouped as APN+ (19/498, 3.8%) or APN− (479/498, 96.2%). Prior to matching, the APN+ (vs. APN−) group showed significantly more lymphatic involvement (73.7% vs. 47.8%; p=0.023), deep (T3/T4) tumor infiltration (100% vs. 78.9%; p=0.024), and nodal metastasis (N2: 84.2% vs. 27.6%; p<0.001). In addition, para-aortic nodal recurrences were significantly increased (15.7% vs. 2.0%; p<0.001), conferring worse RFS (p<0.001) and CSS (p=0.014) rates. Once baseline factors were matched, the two groups appeared similar in RFS (p=0.415) and CSS (p=0.649). Multivariate regression analysis indicated that elevated carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level and deep tumor infiltration were independent risk factors for RFS, whereas postoperative complications and tumor-positive node counts were independent risk factors for CSS. APN+ status was not a significant risk factor for RFS or CSS. Conclusion: APN positivity may thus constitute a regional rather than systemic manifestation. The TNM staging based on the number of metastatic lymph nodes seems to be more reasonable than the regional lymph node classification method.

Metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC) to lymph nodes is an important predictor of patient survival and indicator for the need of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy (1, 2). The Japanese Classification of Colorectal, Appendiceal, and Anal Carcinoma is based on lymph node distribution (2, 3), whereas guidelines of the American Joint Conference on Cancer (AJCC) and the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) tumor nodes metastasis (TNM) Classification of Malignant Tumours recommend a 12-node sampling at minimum, focusing more on absolute numbers of nodal metastases. For example, a single apical lymph node (APN) qualifying as N1a by TNM standards warrants a N3 designation in the Japanese system of classification (4).

In recent years, the role of APNs has fueled considerable controversy. It has been argued that the anatomic distribution of nodal metastases may supplement the current TNM staging system (5), and that APNs may be the gateway to systemic metastasis (6). Some publications have championed APN positivity as an independent prognostic risk factor (4, 7-10) to the dismay of other investigators (1, 11). Such debate is largely due to baseline differences in patient groups.

Propensity score matching (PSM) has been widely adopted in clinical research because it helps reduce the baseline bias of comparator groups (12, 13). This study was undertaken to explore the prognostic utility of inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) APN metastasis in patients with left-sided CRC.

Patients and Methods

As candidates for this retrospective analysis, a total of 2,457 patients underwent surgical resections of left-sided CRC at the International Medical Center of Saitama Medical University between April 2007 and December 2016. Exclusion criteria were as follows: 1) recurrent CRC, 2) multiple malignant tumors, 3) non-resectability, or 4) distant metastasis. Nodal metastases were detected postoperatively in 645 patients. Patients with low-lying rectal cancers involving lateral lymph nodes and those unfit for D3 resection were then disqualified, leaving 498 patients for study (Figure 1).

Figure 1.
Figure 1.

Schematic of patient allocation in primary left-sided colorectal cancer. APN−, Tumor-negative apical lymph nodes; APN+, tumor-positive apical lymph nodes.

We used a medial to lateral approach along the root of IMA (cephalad side) for D3 lymph node dissection. After location of the abdominal aorta, both hypogastric nerves were exposed to ensure their preservation (Figure 2). Nodal metastases were identified systemetically, harvesting pericolorectal lymph nodes (231, 241, 251) (231: pericolic lymph node of descending colon; 241: pericolic lymph node of sigmoid colon; 251: perirectal lymph node), inferior mesenteric trunk nodes (232, 242, 252) (232: intermediate lymph node of descending colon; 242: intermediate lymph node of sigmoid colon; 252: intermediate lymph node of rectal), and IMA APNs (253) for prognostic analysis. Ultimately, all patients were grouped by APN status as tumor-positive (APN+) or tumor-negative (APN−), comparing baseline characteristics of the two groups.

Propensity score matching (PSM) was invoked to offset the differences between the two groups. Age, sex, preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level, duplicate cancers, multiple cancers, tumor location, surgical method, depth of tumor infiltration, nodal metastasis, lymphatic involvement, perineural infiltration, vascular invasion, pathologic staging, and more were incorporated in PSM. After matching, COX regression analysis was conducted to compare relapse-free survival (RFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) rates.

Figure 2.
Figure 2.

Dissection of inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) apical lymph nodes (APNs). Ventral aspect of abdominal aorta borders on lymph nodes dissected at IMA; white dotted line marking left hypogastric nerve segment.

All computations were driven by standard software (SPSS v22 for Mac; IBM Corp, Armonk, NY, USA). Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were applied to assess differences in categorical variables, using Kaplan-Meier method to plot t-test values.

Figure 3.
Figure 3.

Distribution of lymphatic metastasis in patients subjected to D3 nodal dissection. 231, Pericolic lymph node of descending colon; 241, pericolic lymph node of sigmoid colon; 251, perirectal lymph node; 232, intermediate lymph node of descending colon; 242, intermediate lymph node of sigmoid colon; 252, intermediate lymph node of rectal; 253, apical lymph node of IMA.

Results

Of the 498 patients studied, the APN+ group accounted for 19 (3.8%) patients. In the APN− group (479/498, 96.2%), metastases of inferior mesenteric trunk (65/498, 13.1%) (232, 242, 252) and pericolorectal (414/479, 83.1%) (231, 241, 251) lymph nodes were still encountered (Figure 3). RFS (p<0.001) and OS (p=0.001) significantly declined as nodal metastasis approached the abdominal aorta (Figure 4A and B).

Clinical and pathological data of the two groups were subsequently analyzed. The APN+ (vs. APN−) group showed significantly more lymphatic invasion (73.7% vs. 47.8% p=0.023), deep tumor infiltration (T3/T4: 100% vs. 78.9%; p=0.024), and nodal metastasis (N2: 84.2% vs. 27.6%, p<0.001). There were also significantly more open surgeries (26.3% vs. 9.8%; p=0.038) by comparison (Table I), and prior to PSM, RFS (p<0.001) and CSS (p=0.014) rates were significantly lower (Figure 5A and B).

To accurately depict the effect of various parameters on patient prognosis, Cox regression analysis was performed in advance of PSM. Significant independent predictors of RFS and CSS were CEA level [RFS, Hazard ratio (HR)=0.669 (95% confidence interval (CI)=0.472-0.948; p=0.024); CSS, HR=0.505 (95% CI=0.293-0.87; p=0.014)]; tumor-positive node count [RFS, HR=1.112 (95% CI=1.042-1.187; p=0.001); CSS, HR=1.181 (95% CI=1.076-1.297; p<0.001)]; and depth of tumor infiltration [RFS, T3/T4 HR=0.348 (95% CI=0.172-0.706; p=0.003); CSS, HR=0.215 (95% CI=0.049-0.946; p=0.042)]. APN+ status was not a significant risk factor for RFS (p=0.5) or CSS (p=0.637) (Table II).

Figure 4.
Figure 4.

Outcomes of patients with stage III colorectal cancer (CRC): Relapse-free survival (A) and overall survival (B).

PSM was performed at a ratio of 1:2, comparing 19 APN+ patients with 38 matched APN− counterparts. Baseline characteristics of the two groups were similar (Table I). In Cox regression analysis, CEA level (HR=0.446, 95% CI=0.157-1.269; p=0.013) and depth of tumor infiltration (T3/T4 HR=8.011, 95% CI=1.589-40.393; p=0.012) remained independent risk factors for RFS. Age (HR=2.149, 95% CI=1.249-3.696; p=0.006), postoperative complications (HR=601.2; 95% CI=3.219-11227; p=0.016), CEA level (HR=0.460; 95% CI=0.02-10.355; p=0.01), and tumor-positive node count (HR=3.592; 95% CI=1.186-10.876; p=0.024) emerged as independent risk factors for CSS. Again, APN metastasis was not a significant risk factor for RFS (p=0.379) or CSS (p=0.151) (Table III). Of note, RFS (p=0.415) and CSS (p=0.649) did not differ significantly (Figures 6A, 6B).

View this table:
Table I.

Clinicopathological characteristics of patients with stage III left-sided colorectal cancer.

Finally, we explored potential differences in perioperative outcomes through comparative analysis. Before PSM, the APN+ (vs. APN−) group showed significantly more bleeding (134.53±38.47 ml vs. 48.43±5.95 ml; p=0.006) and number of nodal metastases (9.58±1.64 vs. 2.98±0.12; p<0.001), as well as significantly higher rates of nodal positivity (0.342±0.042 vs. 0.125±0.004; p<0.001), postoperative recurrence (57.89% vs. 26.51%; p=0.002), para-aortic lymph node involvement (15.78% vs. 2.08%; p<0.001), and lung (26.31% vs. 8.35%; p=0.036) metastasis (Table IV). After PSM, the APN+ (vs. APN−) group continued to show more intraoperative bleeding and nodal metastases, whereas rates of local recurrence, distant metastasis, and overall recurrence did not differ significantly (Table IV).

Figure 5.
Figure 5.

Patient outcomes prior to matching: (A) Relapse-free survival and (B) cancer-specific survival.

Figure 6.
Figure 6.

Patient outcomes after matching: (A) Relapse-free survival and (B) cancer-specific survival.

Discussion

Through this study, we determined that the correlation of APN metastases with other adverse features suggests it is an indicator of an underlying biological propensity for distant metastases rather than the origin of distant metastases. Although APN+ patients often show deeper tumor infiltration, greater lymphatic involvement, and more nodal metastases at diagnosis, postoperative relapse is the consequence. Once all baselines are leveled, APN+ status appears unrelated to local tumor recurrence or poorer long-term survival. APN metastasis may thus be considered a regional rather than systemic manifestation.

View this table:
Table II.

Cox regression analysis of patient prognosis prior to matching.

View this table:
Table III.

Cox regression analysis of patient after matching.

The analysis we performed before PSM generated outcomes readily reflected in current research publications (4, 7-10). However, results obtained after PSM were also corroborated by certain reports (1, 11), creating stark contradictions. The findings were nonetheless quite explainable. By adopting a sex-matched scoring method, applied to the maximum extent feasible, baseline differences between groups were effectively eliminated.

In our results, it was also apparent that as nodal metastasis approached the root of IMA, prognosis worsened. On the other hand, many studies support the premise that APN+ status has little prognostic impact in the setting of CRC. The chief reason for these conflicting views is perhaps rooted in the definition of APN. Western world defines the APN region as an area ~1 cm from IMA origination (14). In the Japanese classification system, the APN region extends from the origin of IMA to the branching of left colic artery (LCA) (3). By this definition, the APN region often exceeds 1 cm and is more open to harvesting.

View this table:
Table IV.

Nodal involvement, surgical metrics, and postoperative recurrences before and after matching.

During left-sided colorectal apical lymphadenectomy, LCA retention has been a contentious issue (14-17). Some sources have suggested that high-level ligation of IMA may cause postoperative urinary dysfunction, despite an understanding of hypogastric nerve anatomy and the benefit of endoscopic surgical magnification. The reduction in blood supply may also increase the risk of anastomotic leakage (7, 18). LCA was not spared in the vast majority of our patients, allowing us to adequately remove lymphatics of the vascular sheath at the IMA root (19). Yet, this did not increase the risk of anastomotic leakage or urinary disturbance in our patients (data not shown). IMA root dissection contributed to the average yields 26-27 lymph nodes, affording more accurate postoperative CRC staging (20).

Para-aortic nodal involvement and distant tumor metastasis were clearly more common in APN+ (vs. APN−) patients (4). Positive para-aortic nodes were confirmed in 15.78% of APN+ group members, so for those patients with deeper tumors (T3/T4) or elevated preoperative CEA levels, close follow-up surveillance of para-aortic lymph nodes is essential. As a future endeavor, a prospective multicenter clinical trial assessing prophylactic dissection of lymph nodes around the aorta in IMA APN+ patients might be worthwhile.

Increasingly, more attention has been paid to the circumferential margin (pRM) of rectal cancer (21, 22). We identified five APN+ patients (26.3%) with pRM tumor positivity, far surpassing the number of patients similarly affected in the APN− group. Although pRM involvement did not surface as a prognostic risk factor in multivariate analysis, close monitoring for potential local recurrence is warranted, given the limited number of patients we studied.

Traditionally, the pathological characteristics of cancer cells are generally regarded to play an important role in the progression of lymph node metastasis to systemic metastasis. Therefore, APNs are considered to be “the last line of defense against metastatic disease”. However, reported cases of systemic metastases without lymph node metastasis break these traditional concepts. Therefore, instead of focusing on the presence or absence of apical lymph nodes, we should pay more attention to their pathological background.

Although the literature indicates that APN+ patients tend to have a poor prognosis (9), there was no evidence in the current analysis to support APN as an independent risk factor. However, the number of positive lymph node metastases was an independent risk factor for CSS both before and after PSM. Therefore, the current TNM staging based on the number of metastatic lymph nodes seems to be more reasonable than the regional lymph node classification method.

The decision to perform a routine D3 dissection with the removal of the apical nodes require continued review. According to our data, only 3.8% of patients with lymph node metastasis have APN+ cancer. Should surgeons routinely remove apical lymph nodes, even if the rate of metastasis is so low (19)? Intuitively, all surgeons know that the possible benefits will be very small (if any). In patients with micrometastasis, a positive APN that is not removed may result in lymph node recurrence around the para-aortic region. Therefore, from the perspective of radical resection, conventional apical lymph node excision may be beneficial. In the Japanese guidelines for colorectal cancer, in view of the low metastasis of IMA apical lymph nodes, D2 lymph node dissection is sufficient for T1 infiltrating colorectal cancer. But for tumors infiltrating more than T2, routine D3 lymph node dissection is recommended.

This study has certain acknowledged shortcomings. The number APN+ patients were still limited despite a 10-year period. In addition, we were forced to sacrifice a substantial volume of patient information through PSM-enabled masking of group bias. Finally, a proper analysis of postoperative chemotherapy treatment was prohibited by individual differences in treatment regimens. This may have impacted our results to a degree.

Conclusion

According to our findings, APN positivity may constitute a regional rather than systemic manifestation. The TNM staging based on the number of metastatic lymph nodes seems to be more reasonable than the regional lymph node classification method.

Acknowledgements

The Authors would like to thank BioMed Proofreading, LLC for English copyediting.

Footnotes

  • Authors' Contributions

    LMW drafted the manuscript. YH, GH, TI, HK, KH, NO, MA and SY reviewed its content. All Authors have read and approved the final submission.

  • This article is freely accessible online.

  • Conflicts of Interest

    The Authors have no conflicts of interest to declare in terms of this study.

  • Received June 15, 2020.
  • Revision received June 30, 2020.
  • Accepted July 6, 2020.

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Prognostic Utility of Apical Lymph Node Metastasis in Patients With Left-sided Colorectal Cancer
LIMING WANG, YASUMITSU HIRANO, GREGORY HENG, TOSHIMASA ISHII, HIROKA KONDO, KIYOKA HARA, NAO OBARA, MASAHIRO ASARI, SHIGEKI YAMAGUCHI
In Vivo Sep 2020, 34 (5) 2981-2989; DOI: 10.21873/invivo.12129
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