title: Occult cervical nodal metastasis in esophageal cancer: preliminary results of three-field lymphadenectomy.
abstract: The extent of lymphadenectomy for carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus remains debatable. A prospective study was initiated in August 1994 to evaluate the patterns of nodal spread after esophagectomy with three-field lymph node dissection. The hospital mortality rate was 3.3%. Nodal metastases occurred in 73% (22/30) of patients. The most commonly affected nodal groups were the lesser curvature nodes (57%), parahiatal nodes (42%), and the right recurrent nodes (35%). Cervical nodal metastasis occurred in 10 patients (35%) irrespective of tumor location or T status. The cervical field of dissection was as likely as the mediastinum to be a site of nodal disease. These findings should be considered when the operative strategy for esophageal carcinoma is planned.
authors.affiliation: New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, NY 10021, USA.
authors.forename: N K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Altorki
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Skinner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors