UNLABELLED: BACKGROND/AIM: Recent evidence indicates that inflammation is a hallmark of cancer. Tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) contribute to tumor invasion. However, whether TANs and lymph node metastasis are related is unknown. Intranodal lymphatic vessel density (LVD) is significantly correlated with tumor progression, lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer. Herein, we investigated the effects of TANs in regional lymph nodes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated the association of the density of TANs in regional lymph nodes with clinicopathological features by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, we examined the prognostic value of TANs in lymph nodes. RESULTS: The number of TANs in regional lymph nodes was positively correlated with intranodal LVD and micrometastases. Patients with higher cluster of differentiation 15(+) TAN counts had significantly poorer prognosis than those with lower counts. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that TANs in regional lymph nodes promote the invasion of lymph nodes by cancer cells via augmentation of lymphangiogenesis and thereby contribute to tumor progression. Copyright
UNLABELLED: BACKGROND/AIM: Recent evidence indicates that inflammation is a hallmark of cancer. Tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) contribute to tumor invasion. However, whether TANs and lymph node metastasis are related is unknown. Intranodal lymphatic vessel density (LVD) is significantly correlated with tumor progression, lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer. Herein, we investigated the effects of TANs in regional lymph nodes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated the association of the density of TANs in regional lymph nodes with clinicopathological features by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, we examined the prognostic value of TANs in lymph nodes. RESULTS: The number of TANs in regional lymph nodes was positively correlated with intranodal LVD and micrometastases. Patients with higher cluster of differentiation 15(+) TAN counts had significantly poorer prognosis than those with lower counts. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that TANs in regional lymph nodes promote the invasion of lymph nodes by cancer cells via augmentation of lymphangiogenesis and thereby contribute to tumor progression. Copyright