New enhanced and effective method for staging cancer to detect lymph nodes after fat-dissociation

摘要

Pathologic staging is a key factor in the treatment and outcome of cancer patients, and lymph node status plays a pivotal role in this staging process. Several methods of lymph node assessment, such as the fat clearance, Schwartz solution and GEWF solution, are unpopular as they require a significant amount of time (1-9 days) to clear the fat of the resected mesentery and to visualize the lymph nodes. In the present study, we discussed a more simple and effective method, called the fat-dissociation method, which clears the fat using enzymes and allows for easy identification of lymph nodes around vessels. This new procedure facilitates precise staging of cancer which directs the post-operative treatment plan.