Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 7, 2026
Dissection and 2-Photon Imaging of Peripheral Lymph Nodes in Mice
Published on: August 23, 2007
Can lobe-specific lymph node dissection be an alternative to systematic lymph node dissection in treating early-stage
Han-Yu Deng1,2, Chang-Long Qin1, Gang Li2
1Lung cancer center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Background:
Whether lobe-specific lymph node dissection (L-SLND) could serve as an alternative to systematic lymph node dissection (SLND) in treating early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unclear. Therefore, we conducted this comprehensive meta-analysis to compare the effect of L-SLND with that of SLND in treating early-stage NSCLC.
Methods:
A systematic literature search in PubMed and Embase was conducted to identify relevant studies up to 30 November 2017. Data including 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates, recurrence rates, and morbidity rate were extracted and analysed.
Results:
A total of six studies [one randomized controlled trial (RCT) and five retrospective cohort studies] consisting of 2,037 patients with early-stage NSCLC were included for analysis. Meta-analysis showed that there was no significant difference of 5-year OS [81.7% and 79.5%, respectively; risk ratio (RR) =1.021; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.977-1.068; P=0.352] and DFS (76.4% and 69.9%, respectively; RR =1.061; 95% CI, 0.999-1.128; P=0.054) between patients treated with L-SLND and those with SLND. Moreover, there was also no significant difference of total recurrence rates (24.3% and 25.8%, respectively; RR =0.892; 95% CI, 0.759-1.048; P=0.166) and loco-regional recurrence rates (7.9% and 9.3%, respectively; RR =0.851; 95% CI, 0.623-1.162; P=0.310) between patients treated with L-SLND and those with SLND. However, patients treated with L-SLND yielded a significant lower morbidity rate than those treated with SLND (10.2% and 13.5%, respectively; RR =0.681; 95% CI, =0.521-0.888; P=0.005).
Conclusions:
L-SLND yielded a significantly lower risk of morbidity compared to SLND without compromising long-term oncologic outcomes based on available studies with relatively poor quality. L-SLND may serve as an alternative to SLND in treating early-stage NSCLC. Further well-conducted RCTs, however, are badly needed to confirm and update our conclusions.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Detailed Structure and Function of Lymph Nodes
From a histological perspective, lymph nodes can be split into two main areas: the superficial cortex and the deep medulla. The outer cortex is populated by dendritic cells, macrophages, and B lymphocytes, which are densely packed into follicles. When these B-lymphocytes are presented...
01:14Node Analysis for AC Circuits
To unravel the complexities of this system, nodal analysis is employed, a powerful technique founded on Kirchhoff's current law (KCL), which remains valid for phasors. AC circuits can effectively be...
01:20Random and Systematic Errors
01:17Systematic Sampling Method
Systematic sampling is one of the simplest methods...
01:10Propagation of Uncertainty from Systematic Error
01:15Systematic Error: Methodological and Sampling Errors
Sampling errors originate from improper sampling methods or the wrong sample population. These errors can be minimized by refining the sampling strategy. Defective instruments or faulty calibrations are the sources of instrumental...