Neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer decreases the number of lymph nodes harvested in operative specimens.

Background: We evaluated the effect of neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) on lymph node harvest in rectal cancer patients undergoing anatomic resection with curative intent.

Methods: A prospectively maintained database was retrospectively queried for rectal cancer cases from 1990 to 2010. Demographic data, NAT, and lymph node yield were analyzed.