Significance of lymph node retrieval from the terminal ileum for patients with cecal and ascending colonic cancers.

BACKGROUND

For patients with cecal and ascending colonic cancers, the significance of regional lymph node (LN) metastasis at the terminal ileum has not been elucidated. We analyzed its metastatic patterns and significance.

METHODS

The records of patients with cecal and ascending colonic cancers receiving standard radical right hemicolectomy with D3 LN dissection between 2000 and 2010 were collected. The regional LNs were grouped according to the Japanese Classification of Colorectal Carcinoma. The regional LNs supplied by ileocolic vessels were further divided into 201-A (terminal ileal side) and 201-B (colonic side). The clinicopathologic characteristics of all cases showing positive for metastasis in 201-A LN were analyzed.

RESULTS

Forty-seven cases of cecal and 56 cases of ascending colonic cancer were included. Seven cases had 201-A-positive LNs: five (10.6%) in cecal cancers and two (3.6%) in ascending colonic cancers. They all had distant metastases (P < 0.001), and the incidences were significantly correlated with the numbers of metastatic LNs (P < 0.05). There was no 201-A-positive LN noted among patients with stage I to III disease. Poor prognosis was noted for patients with a 201-A-positive LN.

CONCLUSIONS

Both cecal and ascending colonic cancers have a potential for LN metastasis at the terminal ileum. These cases are exclusively stage IV and have poor prognosis.