Inferior mesenteric artery lymph node metastasis in rectal cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy: Incidence, prediction and prognostic impact

nCRT reduced the incidence of IMA node metastasis. Tumors located above the peritoneal reflection, poorly differentiated, and higher preoperative CEA levels were associated with IMA nodal metastasis after nCRT. IMA lymph node dissection is beneficial to certain patients with IMA nodal metastases, and the oncologic benefit may be improved if IMA nodal metastasis can be predicted.