Stage-Dependent Frequency of Lymph Node Metastases in Patients With Rectal Carcinoma After Preoperative Chemoradiation: Results from the CAO/ARO/AIO-94 Trial and From a Comparative Prospective Evaluation With Extensive Pathological Workup

Abstract

Even in good responders (ypT1/2), >20% of rectal carcinomas still harbored residual lymph node metastases. Local excision for patients with ycT1/2 rectal cancers would, thus, miss metastases in a considerable percentage and might involve the risk of significant undertreatment in a number of patients.