Meta-Analysis of Lateral Lymph Node Dissection for Mid Lower Rectal Cancer: Is It Needed?

1. Abstract

1.1. Background: Presence of lateral lymph node metastasis in rectal cancer was originally reported in the 1950s.Lateral lymph node metastasis occurs in 15 to 20% of patients with locally advanced low rectal cancer which escalates likelihood of local recurrence and reduced survival following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) and Total Mesolectal Excision (TME).