title: Lymph node classification of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma.
abstract: The lymphatic channels of the esophagus run vertically along the axis of the esophagus and some of them drain into the cervical lymph glands upwards and into the abdominal glands downwards, and the pattern of lymph node metastasis of esophageal carcinoma is widespread. In various classifications of pattern of lymphatic spread, four classifications were proposed; location, number, ratio, and size. No definite survival advantage of aggressive lymph node dissection during esophagectomy has been proved compared with less dissection. Stage migration, micrometastasis, and sentinel lymph node concept all make it possible to individualize surgical management of esophageal carcinoma as a part of various multimodal treatments. Early diagnosis, standardization of surgery including routine lymph node dissection, and perioperative management of patients have all led to better survival rates of esophageal carcinoma.
authors.affiliation: Digestive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Shimane University, Izumo, Shimane, Japan. surgery@hc-hosp.or.jp
authors.forename: Mitsuo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tachibana
authors.forename: Shoichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kinugasa
authors.forename: Noriyuki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hirahara
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yoshimura
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging