This is the Scientific Surgery Archive, which contains all randomized clinical trials in surgery that have been identified by searching the top 50 English language medical journal issues since January 1998. Compiled by Jonothan J. Earnshaw, former Editor-in-Chief, BJS
Rapid immunohistochemical detection of lymph node micrometastasis during operation for upper gastrointestinal carcinoma. BJS 2003; 90: 563-566.
Published: 28th January 2003
Authors: M. Matsumoto, S. Natsugoe, S. Ishigami, Y. Uenosono, S. Takao, T. Aikou et al.
Background
The intraoperative diagnosis of lymph node micrometastasis (LNM) may help guide the area of appropriate lymph node dissection. This study aimed to evaluate the rapid immunohistochemical detection of LNMs using frozen sections during operation for gastro‐oesophageal cancer.
Method
Rapid immunostaining with anticytokeratin (AE1/AE3) antibody was compared with conventional immunostaining. A total of 210 lymph nodes obtained from 47 patients with oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma and from 32 with gastric adenocarcinoma were examined during operation. Lymph nodes were frozen, sectioned, and examined by histological and immunohistochemical methods.
Results
It took 30 min to complete the rapid immunostaining procedure; the expression of cytokeratin by rapid immunostaining was similar to that by conventional immunostaining. The incidence of lymph node metastasis detected by histological and immunohistochemical examination was 17 and 23 per cent respectively. LNM was solely detected in 12 lymph nodes by immunostaining: three micrometastases and nine with tumour cell microinvolvement.
Conclusion
Intraoperative rapid immunostaining is a simple and useful technique for detecting LNMs. Further study should investigate the role of rapid immunostaining during cancer surgery to select appropriate areas for lymphadenectomy. Copyright © 2003 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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