Significance, diagnosis and treatment of lateral lymph nodes in rectal cancer : A systematic review
Introduction: Patients with low rectal cancer are at risk for lateral lymph node metastasis (LLNM). Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is used to eradicate LLNM in the West, whereas in Japan the addition of lateral lymph node dissection (LLND) to total mesorectal excision (TME) is performed. A systematic review was conducted to assess incidence, location, risk factors and diagnosis of LLNM and la
