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Published in: World Journal of Surgery 9/2011

01-09-2011

Assessment of the Nodal Status in Ampullary Carcinoma: The Number of Positive Lymph Nodes Versus the Lymph Node Ratio

Authors: Jun Sakata, Yoshio Shirai, Toshifumi Wakai, Yoichi Ajioka, Kouhei Akazawa, Katsuyoshi Hatakeyama

Published in: World Journal of Surgery | Issue 9/2011

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Abstract

Background

This study was intended to compare the prognostic power of the number of positive lymph nodes with that of the lymph node ratio in patients with ampullary carcinoma.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted of the medical records of 71 consecutive patients with ampullary carcinoma who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy with regional lymph node dissection. A total of 2151 lymph nodes were dissected (median: 28 nodes per patient) and examined histologically. Cutoff points were determined for both the number of positive nodes and the lymph node ratio using χ2 scores calculated with the Cox proportional hazards regression model.

Results

Lymph node metastasis was found in 34 patients. The best cutoff point for the number of positive nodes was identified as three nodes, and that for the lymph node ratio was identified as 10%. Univariate analysis revealed both the number of positive nodes (0, 1–3, or ≥4; P < 0.0001) and the lymph node ratio (0%, 0–10%, or >10%; P < 0.0001) as significant prognostic factors. Multivariate analysis identified the number of positive nodes as an independent prognostic factor (P < 0.001), whereas the lymph node ratio failed to remain as an independent variable. The cumulative 5-year survival rates were 85% for patients with 0 positive nodes, 63% for patients with 1–3 positive nodes, and 0% for patients with ≥4 positive nodes (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

The number of positive lymph nodes better predicts the outcome after resection than the lymph node ratio in patients with ampullary carcinoma.
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Metadata
Title
Assessment of the Nodal Status in Ampullary Carcinoma: The Number of Positive Lymph Nodes Versus the Lymph Node Ratio
Authors
Jun Sakata
Yoshio Shirai
Toshifumi Wakai
Yoichi Ajioka
Kouhei Akazawa
Katsuyoshi Hatakeyama
Publication date
01-09-2011
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
World Journal of Surgery / Issue 9/2011
Print ISSN: 0364-2313
Electronic ISSN: 1432-2323
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-011-1175-7

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