Resection of isolated distant nodal metastasis in metastatic colorectal cancer

Abstract Background Little is known regarding the role of resection in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) who present with isolated non-regional lymph node metastasis (NRLNM). Methods Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database, we identified patients diagnosed with CRC and NRLNM from 2004 to 2013. Results A total of 849 patients presented with CRC and isolated NRLNM. Of these, 90 (10.6%) underwent resection of NRLNM. Median OS did not differ for patients who underwent resection of NRLNM compared to those who did not (33 versus 29 months, p = 0.68). Subgroup analysis by primary tumor site, also did not demonstrate a difference in median OS. Cox proportional hazard model revealed older age (Hazard ratio [HR] 1.34, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.17–1.53, p  Conclusion Resection of NRLNM in patients with CRC is not associated with an OS benefit. Further studies are needed to determine if there is a subset of patients who could potentially benefit from this resection strategy.