Nodal drainage pathways in primary rectal cancer: anatomy of regional and distant nodal spread

Harmeet Kaur; Randy D Ernst; Gaiane M Rauch; Mukesh Harisinghani

doi:10.1007/s00261-019-02094-0

Nodal drainage pathways in primary rectal cancer: anatomy of regional and distant nodal spread

Abdom Radiol (NY). 2019 Nov;44(11):3527-3535. doi: 10.1007/s00261-019-02094-0.

Authors

Harmeet Kaur¹, Randy D Ernst², Gaiane M Rauch², Mukesh Harisinghani³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Diagnostic Imaging, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1400 Pressler Street, Unit 1473, Houston, TX, 77030, USA. [email protected].
² Department of Diagnostic Imaging, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1400 Pressler Street, Unit 1473, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
³ Division of Abdominal Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.

PMID: 31628513
DOI: 10.1007/s00261-019-02094-0

Abstract

Nodal involvement is a significant prognostic factor in rectal cancer and difficult to assess preoperatively. An understanding of the patterns of nodal spread from different regions of the rectum can assist in this process and is essential for the purposes of surgical planning. In this article we define patterns of spread to mesenteric and pelvic sidewall nodal subgroups and discuss the importance of accurate anatomic localization of nodes for the purposes of staging and surgical planning.

Keywords: CT; Lymph node; MRI; Rectal adenocarcinoma; Rectal cancer.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Anatomic Landmarks
Humans
Lymph Node Excision
Lymph Nodes / anatomy & histology*
Lymphatic Metastasis*
Neoplasm Staging
Patient Care Planning
Rectal Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
Rectal Neoplasms / pathology*
Rectal Neoplasms / surgery