Diagnostic Accuracy of Endoscopic Ultrasonography in Esophageal Cancer: A Single Center Experience

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Determining the depth of tumor invasion and the presence of regional lymph node metastasis is important in deciding therapeutic strategies. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of EUS in detecting the depth of tumor invasion and regional lymph node metastasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 141 consecutive patients underwent preoperative evaluation using EUS, CT, and PET CT from November 2005 to June 2009 in Pusan National University Hospital. We reviewed the patients' medical records and compared EUS and pathologic findings. RESULTS: A total of 59 patients were included in the final analysis. The overall accuracy of EUS in predicting the correct T stage was 79.7% (95% CI, 66.8~88.6%). EUS accurately predicted T stage in 93.2% (95% CI, 82.7~97.8%) of T1 tumors, 79.7% (95% CI, 66.8~88.6%) of T2 tumors, and 86.4% (95% CI, 74.5~93.6%) of T3 tumors. Overall, EUS accurately predicted N stage in 83.1% of cases. EUS correctly predicted N stage in 91.4% of N0 tumors and 70.8% of N1 tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Overall accuracy of EUS for the T and N staging of esophageal cancer was high. Thus, EUS is a useful diagnostic modality in determining the initial stage of esophageal cancer.