Does the routine histological examination of the inferior mesenteric artery Iymph nodes have a prognostic value in elderly patients with sigmoid colon and rectum tumors?

The purpose of our study was to estimate in elderly patients with a colorectal and sigmoid cancer the frequency of the histopathological exam and to analyze the prognostic/therapeutic value of central LN examination. In our experience the histological evaluation of the central LN has a precise prognostic value. Patients in which the histological evaluation of the central LN was performed had a better prognosis than patients in which the histological evaluation wasn’t possible (tha actuarial survival rate at 5 years was 73,2% in patients in which the central LN status was determinated and 62,7% in thiose in which it wasn’t (p=0.0066). The authors conclude that the histological evaluation of the central LN represents the quality standard of the lymphadenectomy and ensures a precise staging of the tumor which decreases the shifting between tumor stages. From an oncological point of view the therapeutic improvement achieved can be ascribed to metastatic LN dissection.