Molecular Detection of Tumor Cells in Regional Lymph Nodes Is Associated With Disease Recurrence and Poor Survival in Node-Negative Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

PURPOSE: Up to 25% of patients with node-negative colorectal cancer (CRC) on conventional histopathologic analysis ultimately die of recurrent disease. We performed a systematic review with meta-analyses to clarify whether molecular detection of isolated tumor cells or micrometastases in regional lymph nodes indicates high risk of disease recurrence and poor survival in node-negative CRC. METHODS: The following databases were searched in August …