Seventeen lymph nodes optimally predict survival in mucinous adenocarcinoma

A multicenter study analyzed lymph node evaluations in colorectal mucinous adenocarcinoma (MAC) and established that examining at least 17 lymph nodes (ELNs) significantly correlates with improved survival rates. Data from Chinese and SEER cohorts showed a consistent median ELN count of 17, with higher counts reducing mortality risks for MAC patients. This finding challenges the current standard of 12 ELNs, suggesting a need for revised evaluation protocols to enhance prognostic outcomes in MAC surgeries.