Hello and thank you for your post.

I am sorry to hear about your husband's diagnosis and I can appreciate you want more information about this.

Apical lymph nodes are situated between the abdominal and bowel arteries. Lymph nodes are checked when surgery is done, to see if the cancer has spread to any of them. I have looked to see what the significance of the cancer spreading to the apical lymph nodes are. Looking into research and studies looking into this, there is a mixed view (medically) about whether this impacts on someone's prognosis. 

You might find it helpful to look at how bowel cancer is staged, this refers to how big the cancer is and whether it has spread to the lymph nodes and to another organ, you can see it on our website here.

Please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

Take care,

Caroline