Molecular detection of tumor cells in regional lymph nodes is associated with disease recurrence and poor survival in node-negative colorectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Up to 25% of patients with node-negative colorectal cancer (CRC) on conventional histopathologic analysis ultimately die of recurrent disease. We performed a systematic review with meta-analyses to clarify whether molecular detection of isolated tumor cells or micrometastases in regional lymph nodes indicates high risk of disease recurrence and poor survival in node-negative CRC.