©The Author(s) 2015. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jan 7, 2015; 21(1): 132-138
Published online Jan 7, 2015. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i1.132
Published online Jan 7, 2015. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i1.132
Extent of surgery in cancer of the colon: Is more better?
Wouter Willaert, Wim Ceelen, Department of Surgery, Ghent University Hospital, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
Author contributions: Willaert W performed the literature search and co-authored the paper; Ceelen W designed the topic, co-authored the paper and approved the final version.
Supported by The Fund for Scientific Research - Flanders (FWO) to Ceelen W (Senior Clinical Researcher)
Correspondence to: Wim Ceelen, MD, PhD, Department of Surgery, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium. wim.ceelen@ugent.be
Telephone: +32-9-3326251 Fax: +32-9-3323891
Received: July 1, 2014
Peer-review started: July 2, 2014
First decision: August 6, 2014
Revised: August 14, 2014
Accepted: November 7, 2014
Article in press: November 11, 2014
Published online: January 7, 2015
Processing time: 189 Days and 12.5 Hours
Peer-review started: July 2, 2014
First decision: August 6, 2014
Revised: August 14, 2014
Accepted: November 7, 2014
Article in press: November 11, 2014
Published online: January 7, 2015
Processing time: 189 Days and 12.5 Hours
Core Tip
Core tip: The extent of surgery in cancer of the colon is a matter of debate. Proponents of complete mesocolic excision (CME) argue that more extensive en bloc removal of the lymph node harboring mesentery may improve recurrence free survival. Here, we critically review the relevant clinical data and colorectal cancer biology and conclude that at present, routine implementation of a more extensive resection such as CME is unjustified outside the setting of controlled clinical trials.