Resection of isolated distant nodal metastasis in metastatic colorectal cancer

Little is known regarding the role of resection in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) who present with isolated non-regional lymph node metastasis (NRLNM).

Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database, we identified patients diagnosed with CRC and NRLNM from 2004 to 2013.

A total of 849 patients presented with CRC and isolated NRLNM. Of these, 90 (10.6%) underwent resection of NRLNM. Median overall survival (OS) did not differ for patients who underwent resection of NRLNM compared to those who did not (33 versus 29 months, p = 0.68). Subgroup analysis by primary tumor site, also did not demonstrate a difference in median OS. Cox proportional hazard model revealed older age (Hazard ratio [HR] 1.34, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.17-1.53, p < 0.0001), higher tumor grade (HR 1.81, 95% CI 1.52-2.16, p < 0.0001), and earlier year of diagnosis (HR 1.34, 95% CI 1.17-1.53, p < 0.0001) were associated with decreased OS. There was no survival difference between those who underwent resection of NRLNM compared to those who had not (HR 0.997, p = 0.28).

Resection of NRLNM in patients with CRC is not associated with an OS benefit. Further studies are needed to determine if there is a subset of patients who could potentially benefit from this resection strategy.