Prognostic factors for T1-2 colorectal cancer after radical resection: Lymph node distribution is a valuable predictor of its survival

The prognostic factors for patients with T1-2 colorectal cancer (CRC) after radical resection and the predictive value of lymph node distribution (LND) system compared with TNM system for these patients have not been well studied. From September 2009 and June 2016, a total of 541 consecutive patients with T1-2 CRC who accepted radical resection in two centers were included in this study. Their clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis were analyzed using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. The predictive value of LND system for these patients were compared with the TNM system. Univariate analysis revealed that patients' gender, tumor size, LNM and lymphovascular or nerve invasion were prognostic factors for the disease-free survival (DFS) (p < 0.05). Multivariate regression analysis confirmed the gender, LNM and lymphovascular or nerve invasion were independent prognostic factors for the DFS (p < 0.05). The LND system had a better predictive value than the TNM system in lymph node-positive T1-2 CRC patients (P = 0.026 vs p = 0.148). The gender, LNM and lymphovascular or nerve invasion were independent prognostic factors for the patients with T1-2 CRC after radical resection. The LND system had a better predictive value than the TNM system in T1-2 CRC patients.