The Lymphatic System in Colorectal Cancer

The Lymphatic System in Colorectal Cancer: Basic Concepts, Pathology, Imaging and Treatment Perspectives provides an in-depth overview on the role of the lymphatic system in the pathogenesis and treatment of colorectal cancer. This is the first book to provide a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to the lymphatic system in colorectal cancer, with topics ranging from cancer biology and mathematical modelling to surgical approaches and novel imaging techniques.

Lymphatic spread is one of the hallmarks of locally advanced colorectal cancer, and adversely affects prognosis. Nevertheless, the molecular pathogenesis, dynamics, and prognostic significance of lymphatic spread remain poorly understood. At the same time, novel surgical approaches such as complete mesocolic excision and sentinel node identification are being introduced, but their value remains uncertain. Bringing together internationally renown experts, the chapters encompass relevant content to help the reader understand such complex subject in detail.

This book is a valuable reference for cancer researchers, oncologists and all those interested in the biology and treatment of colorectal cancer.

• Presents a multidisciplinary approach allowing the readers to identify relevant fields of collaboration and to inspire novel research endeavors in the field
• Discusses novel imaging techniques such as near-infrared being introduced in clinical practice as a tool for identifying sentinel nodes and lymphatic pathways
• Brings together international experts who shed light on the most relevant aspects of lymphatic spread in cancer of the bowel, underlying mechanisms and the best method to avoid or to treat it

Cancer researchers, oncologists, clinicians, medical scientists

Part A. Basic concepts
1. Anatomy and embryology of the lymphatic system of the colon and rectum
2. The premetastatic niche in colorectal cancer lymphatic metastasis
3. Genetic drivers of lymphatic spread in colorectal cancer
4. Evolution and biogeographical spread of colorectal cancer
5. Immunology of the normal and cancer-invaded lymphatic system in CRC
6. Biomechanical aspects of lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis
7. Mathematical models of normal and cancer-associated lymphangiogenesis

Part B. Pathology and Imaging
8. Pathological assessment of the lymph nodes in colorectal cancer
9. Lymph node classification in colorectal cancer: TNM versus the Japanese system
10. Prognostic significance of the lymph node ratio in colon and rectal cancer
11. Tumor deposits in colorectal cancer
12. Detection and significance of micro-metastases in colorectal lymph nodes
13. Patterns of lymph node metastasis in rectal cancer
14. Imaging of nodal disease in colon and rectal cancer

Part C. Treatment
15. Complete mesocolic excision in colon cancer
16. Japanese D3 dissection in colon cancer
17. Lateral lymph node dissection in rectal cancer
18. Neoadjuvant therapy and nodal recurrence in rectal cancer
19. Management of extra-mesenteric and para-aortic nodal disease in colon cancer
20. Fluorescence guided sentinel node detection in colorectal cancer surgery
21. Systemic treatment for node positive colorectal cancer
22. Radiotherapy for nodal disease in colorectal cancer