# Pathologic Complete Response and Long-Term Survival After Preoperative Chemotherapy for Transverse Colon Cancer With Para-Aortic Lymph Node Metastases

## TL;DR

A patient with advanced transverse colon cancer and lymph node metastases achieved complete tumor response and long-term survival after pre- and post-surgery chemotherapy.

## Contribution

Reports a rare case of pathologic complete response and long-term survival in transverse colon cancer with para-aortic lymph node metastases.

## Key findings

- Neoadjuvant mFOLFOX6 plus bevacizumab led to complete tumor necrosis with no viable cells.
- Patient remained recurrence-free six years after surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy.
- Combination therapy and radical resection may be effective for advanced colon cancer with PALN metastases.

## Abstract

A 52-year-old male patient was diagnosed with transverse colon cancer and synchronous stage IVA para-aortic lymph node (PALN) metastases (cT3N1bM1a of the lymph node). Six courses of mFOLFOX6 plus bevacizumab were administered as neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Computed tomography showed shrinkage of the primary tumor and PALN metastases. Extended right hemicolectomy, D3 lymph node dissection, and PALN dissection were performed. A pathologic examination indicated that the tumor had completely changed and comprised necrotic tissue with no viable cells. Therefore, it was considered that mFOLFOX6 plus bevacizumab resulted in a pathologic complete response. Postoperatively, six courses of mFOLFOX6 were administered. Six years postoperatively, the patient did not exhibit any signs of recurrence. There have been few reports of pathologic complete response after neoadjuvant therapy and resection for colon cancer with synchronous PALN metastases. This report describes a unique case involving a pathologic complete response with long-term survival after mFOLFOX6 plus bevacizumab and radical resection, including PALN dissection. Preoperative mFOLFOX6 plus bevacizumab followed by radical resection and adjuvant mFOLFOX6 therapy was safe and resulted in a good outcome. This regimen should be considered for advanced colon cancer with PALN metastases.