Problems of preoperative diagnosis of pelvic lymph node lesions in rectal cancer (review)

Background: metastasis in lateral pelvic lymph nodes (LPLN) occurred in 6–15% of patients with middle or low rectal cancer. Currently there are still no criteria of diagnosis of this. There is no generally accepted management this group of the patients.Aim: to systematize the available literature data about lateral pelvic lymph node dissection in patients with rectal cancer.Materials and Methods: literature search was performed in the PubMed and e-Library databases using the keywords: LLND, lateral lymph node, rectal cancer, lymphodissection. The search date: July 2023.Results: preoperative CRT with total mesorectumectomy supplemented with selective LTLD for suspected metastases seems to be a rational strategy to achieve a favorable oncological treatment outcome.Conclusion: Additional studies are required.