Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 22, 2026

Author Spotlight: A Model to Study the Systemic and Local Dynamics of CD8+ T Cells During LN Metastasis
Published on: January 26, 2024
Significance of Lymph Node Metastasis in Resectable Well-differentiated Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor
Norifumi Harimoto1, Kouki Hoshino1, Ryo Muranushi1
1From the Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and.
Objectives:
Understanding the effect of lymph node metastasis (LNM) on prognosis in pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm is helpful for surgery and follow-up. In this study, we investigated the significance of LNM in well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNETs) according to the World Health Organization 2017 classification.
Methods:
We retrospectively collected data for 95 consecutive patients with PanNET who underwent pancreatic resection with curative intent between January 2008 and December 2017 at 6 institutions. The clinicopathological factors were compared in patients with and without LNM, and prognostic factors were analyzed.
Results:
Lymph node metastasis was significantly associated with malignant potential of PanNET, such as larger tumor size, higher Ki-67 index, higher tumor grade, and higher incidence of lymphatic, vessel, and neural invasion. Lymph node metastasis was also associated with disease-free but not overall survival. Multivariate analysis identified NET grade 2 (G2) and G3 as independent risk factors for recurrence after curative resection.
Conclusions:
World Health Organization 2017 classification was the most independent prognostic factor in patients with resectable well-differentiated PanNETs. Patients with G2 and higher-grade tumors require lymph node dissection to improve prognosis.
Related Concept Videos
Detailed 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...
Statistical Significance
Cholesterol: Significance and Regulation
Considering cholesterol and...
The Significance of Membrane Transport
Transporters facilitate either an active or passive movement of solutes. They can allow a single-molecule transport down its...
Significance of Center of Mass
Metastasis
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...

