Significance of the lymph nodes in rectal cancer

The significance of the lymph nodes for the therapy and the prognostics of the rectal cancer are reviewed. Not only the depth of penetrations, but the probability of lymph node involvement (in our series tumors staged T1 had in 12 % positive lymph nodes, T2 in 20 % respectively, T3 in 37 % and T4 in 80 %) determine the possible surgical treatment. The available datas of different techniques in lymphadenectomy and lymph node staging are compared and discussed. The aim of this paper is to give the oncologically interested the opportunity to pursue the actual questions and to inform themselves about the current standards in regard to the lymphatics in rectal cancer.