Upstaging of early colorectal cancers following improved lymph node yield after methylene blue injection

Jepsen R K, Ingeholm P & Lund E L (2012) Histopathology 61, 788-794 Upstaging of early colorectal cancers following improved lymph node yield after methylene blue injection Aims:  To evaluate whether the use of intra-arterial methylene blue injection improves lymph node yield, and to determine whether a higher lymph node count results in upstaging in colorectal cancer. Method and results:  We performed a retrospective study of colorectal cancer specimens (n = 234) 1 year after implementation of the method. All colorectal cancer specimens from the previous year served as our control group. Data concerning tumour characteristics, lymph node count, number of positive lymph nodes and success of methylene injection had been prospectively collected in accordance with the department's ongoing registration. The method was easy to implement and perform with a high rate of success (86%). The number of identified lymph nodes was highly significantly improved in the study group (P