Regularity of lymph node metastasis in 100 patients of thoracic esophageal carcinoma / 中国癌症杂志

ABSTRACT

Purpose:To explore the regularity of lymph node metastasis in thoracic esophageal carcinoma.Methods:From March 2000 to June 2001,100 patients with thoracic esophageal carcinoma underwent radical esophagectomy with three field lymphadenectomy. Dissection was done through a right lateral thoracotomy followed by repositioning and simultaneous laparotomy and neck incision. Results:The hospital mortality rate was 0%.Nodal metastases occurred in 54% (54/100) of patients. The rate of metastasis to neck, mediastinum and abdomen were 31%, 34% and 26%. Cervical nodal metastasis was not correlated with the depth of tumor penetration. There was a higher frequency in nodal metastasis near the bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerves than that in the bilateral supraclavicular region. Conclusions:①Neck, mediastinum and abdomen nodal metastases occurred frequenthy in thoracic esophageal carcinoma. ②Cervical nodal metastasis could occur in early stage of tumor infiltration.③Cervical lymphadenectomy was a very important factor for accurate staging of thoracic esophageal cancer.