Real-time lymphatic mapping could redefine colon cancer surgery margins

A phase II trial aims to assess the effectiveness of indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence-guided lymph node mapping in determining bowel resection margins for patients with colon cancer. By tailoring lymph node dissection based on individual anatomy, the approach seeks to balance extensive dissection and potential complications while optimizing oncological outcomes. If sensitivity exceeds 96% after 101 cases, ICG mapping may offer a new standard for personalized surgical margins in colon cancer interventions.