[Diagnostic relevance of lymph node size after 2-field lymph node excision in esophagus carcinomas].
In 22 patients with thoracoabdominal esophagectomy and 2-field lymphadenectomy the lymph nodes (LN) were dissected according to a standardized protocol and classified in five groups regarding their size. 407 of 675 dissected LN (60.3%) were < 5 mm. 89.4% of the metastatic LN were < 10 mm although LN > 10 mm showed significantly more metastases than LN < 10 mm. Since diagnostic imaging defines metastatic LN by a diameter > 10 mm these results demonstrate the inaccuracy to evaluate preoperatively the cN-status. These results also support the need of a systematic lymphadenectomy in patients with esophageal cancer.
D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity