Publication Name	World Journal of Gastroenterology
Manuscript ID	116026
Country	China

Category	Oncology
Manuscript Type	Retrospective Study
Article Title	Lymph node regression grade as a prognostic marker in rectal cancer after neoadjuvant therapy and radical resection
Manuscript Source	Unsolicited Manuscript
All Author List	Yun-Jie Shi, Pan-Pan Duan, Qian-Qian Liu, Hong-Yan Ru, Ya-Jun Huang, Wen Xia, Ling Chen and Xu Li
Funding Agency and Grant Number	Funding Agency Grant Number Shanghai Municipal Health Commission 20244Y0186
Corresponding Author	Xu Li, Department of Colorectal Surgery, Changhai Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, No. 168 Changhai Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai 200433, China. xuli_ch@163.com
Key Words	Rectal cancer; Lymph node regression grade; Tumor regression grade; Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy; Prognostic marker
Core Tip	In locally advanced rectal cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, the prognostic value of the primary tumor regression grade is limited to patients without lymph node (LN) metastasis (ypN0). Importantly, we demonstrate that a novel LN regression grade, assessing residual cancer in treated LNs, serves as a powerful and independent prognostic marker for both survival and recurrence in patients with residual nodal disease (ypN+). Integrating LN regression grade into postoperative evaluation refines risk stratification beyond current tumor-node-metastasis staging.
Citation	Shi YJ, Duan PP, Liu QQ, Ru HY, Huang YJ, Xia W, Chen L, Li X. Lymph node regression grade as a prognostic marker in rectal cancer after neoadjuvant therapy and radical resection. World J Gastroenterol 2026; In press

Received	2025-11-21 09:14
Peer-Review Started	2025-11-21 09:14
First Decision by Editorial Office Director	2025-12-16 06:31
Return for Revision	2025-12-16 06:31
Revised	2025-12-29 03:13
Publication Fee Transferred	2025-12-31 09:13
Second Decision by Editor	2026-02-04 02:52
Second Decision by Editor-in-Chief
Final Decision by Editorial Office Director	2026-02-04 08:05
Articles in Press	2026-02-04 08:05
Edit the Manuscript by Language Editor
Typeset the Manuscript

ISSN	1007-9327 (print) and 2219-2840 (online)
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