# Prevalence and quantity of lymph nodes at mediastinal stations in patients with lung cancer: lessons from 181 bilateral mediastinal lymphadenectomies

## TL;DR

This study analyzed lymph node prevalence in lung cancer patients to help guide surgical and diagnostic practices.

## Contribution

The study provides detailed data on mediastinal lymph node distribution in lung cancer patients.

## Key findings

- Lymph nodes were most commonly found at stations 4R and 7 in over 90% of patients.
- Stations 3 and 9L had the lowest prevalence of detectable lymph nodes.
- The average number of removed lymph nodes was 28.67, with a range from 4 to 88.

## Abstract

This study evaluated the prevalence and quantity of lymph nodes at particular stations of the mediastinum in patients with lung cancer. These data are important to radiologists, pathologists, and thoracic surgeons because they can serve as a benchmark when assessing the completeness of lymph node dissection. However, relevant data in the literature are scarce.

Data regarding the number of lymph nodes derived from two randomised trials of bilateral mediastinal lymph node dissection, the BML-1 and BML-2 study, were included in this analysis. Detectable nodes at particular stations of the mediastinum and the number of nodes at these stations were analysed.

The mean number of removed nodes was 28.67 (range, 4–88). Detectable lymph nodes were present at stations 2R, 4R, and 7 in 93%, 98%, and 99% of patients, respectively. Nodes were rarely present at stations 9 L (33%), and 3 (35%). The largest number of nodes was observed at stations 7 and 4R (mean, 5 nodes).

The number of mediastinal lymph nodes in patients with lung cancer may be greater than that in healthy individuals. Lymph nodes were observed at stations 2R, 4R, and 7 in more than 90% of patients with lung cancer. The largest number of nodes was observed at stations 4R and 7. Detectable nodes were rarely observed at stations 3 and 9 L.

ISRCTN 86,637,908.