Association of GUCY2C Expression in Lymph Nodes With Time to Recurrence and Disease-Free Survival in pN0 Colorectal Cancer

Abstract
Metastasis of tumor cells to regional lymph nodes is the single most important prognostic factor in patients with colorectal cancer.1,2 Recurrence rates increase from approximately 25% in patients with lymph nodes free of tumor cells by histopathology (pN0) to approximately 50% in patients with 4 or more lymph nodes harboring metastases.3,4 Adjuvant chemotherapy improves disease-free and overall survival in patients with histopathologically evident lymph node metastases, but its role in patients with pN0 colorectal cancer remains unclear.5-9