Abstract
BACKGROUND: The relationship between the radiological lymph node (rLN) size and survival outcome in node-negative rectal cancer is still uncertain. In this study, we aimed to explore the role of enlarged rLN in predicting the survival of node-negative rectal cancers. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 722 node-negative rectal cancer who underwent curative resection. Factors associated with DFS (disease-free survival) and CSS (cancer-specific survival) were assessed with univariate and multivariate analysis. Survival analysis was performed according to presence with or without enlarged rLN. Combining rLN with NLR as a new index-inflammation immune score (IIS) for predicting survival. Comparing different models to assess the predictive powers. RESULTS: A total of 119 patients had tumor recurrence and 73 patients died due to cancer. Patients with enlarged rLN (≥5 mm) was significantly associated with better DFS (HR:0.517, 95%CI:0.339-0.787, p = 0.002) and CSS (HR:0.43, 95%CI:0.242-0.763, p = 0.004). The risk factors of recurrence were rLN, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), CEA level, and distance from the anal verge. The risk of recurrence increased by 1.88- and 2.83-fold for the high score in IIS compared with the low and intermediate score group (All p < 0.001). Similarly, the high score in IIS also increased the risk of cancer-specific death. In the model comparison, the AIC and LR were improved by including the rLN into the NLR model for DFS and CSS prediction (All p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Node-negative rectal cancer patients with enlarged rLN had a better survival outcome. IIS might be a more comprehensive and complete inflammation immune index for survival prediction.