Management of isolated para-aortic lymph node recurrence of colorectal cancer

Isolated para-aortic lymph node recurrence (PALNR) after curative surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC) is rare and its optimal management is not defined clearly. This review investigates the best outcomes among published studies on the management of PALNR in the field of CRC. We searched the PubMed database for studies reporting on the management of isolated PALNR in CRC, published in English or Japanese from January, 2000 to December, 2018. Studies including patients with other metastases were excluded. A total of 24 retrospective studies including 227 patients with PALNR were evaluated. The 3-year overall survival (OS) ranged from 60 to 100%, with a median OS of 34–80 months for patients who underwent PALNR dissection, and 14–42 months for patients who received non-surgical treatment. No surgery-related mortality was reported and the incidence of surgical, mainly low-grade, complications ranged from 33 to 52%. The predictors of improved survival outcome included R0 resection margins. Dissection for PALNR from CRC is considered a feasible treatment option that may yield a better prognosis than non-surgical treatment alone. Preoperative chemotherapy or CRT should be considered for their potential benefits, including a reduction in cancer volume and improved R0 resection rates.