Introduction: Lymph node (LN) metastasis are important biomarkers in the resection of colorectal cancer translating into accurate disease staging. It is therefore obvious that lymph node dissection in the curative treatment of co lorectal cancer is a prognostic factor that influences survival and guides management strategy. This study aims to evaluate lymph node dissection in colorectal cancers (CRC) managed at the Teaching Hospital, Brazzaville, Congo. Patients and Method: We carried out a descriptive prospective study during a period of 18 months from October 2020 to March 2021 involving patients who underwent curative treatment for colorectal cancer at the visceral surgery department of the Brazzaville Teaching Hospital. Results: Thirty (30) cases of CRC were recorded out of 738 hospitalizations in the visceral surgery departments, which constitute 4.06% of the in-patient activity of the department during the period under study. Mean age was 55.13 years and a male predominance was observed with a sex ratio of 1.14. Colonic involvement was predominant in our series and was found in 22 of the patients. 25 patients un derwent surgical resection while 5 patients could not undergo operative treatment. 17 out of the 25 patients underwent curative treatment, 6 were offered palliative care, whereas surgical abstention was decided in 2 patients. The average number of lymphadenectomies per patient was 16.43. Lymphadenectomy was greater than or equal to 12 in 88% of patients. Nine patients had vascular emboli whereas 10 patients had perineural invasion. The tumor was staged as T3 in 15 patients; six patients had a negative lymph node and 11 patients had at least one lymph node invasion. Distant metastasis status could not be determined in 10 patients. Conclusion: Lymphadenectomy is a hallmark in the curative treatment of colorectal cancer as it allows for optimal staging. This represents a strong prognostic factor that defines adjuvant therapy and overall patient outcome.
KeywordsLymphadenectomySurgeryCancerColorectal
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