[Clinical study of the characteristics of lymph node metastasis in thoracic esophageal cancer].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the characteristics of lymph node metastasis in thoracic esophageal cancer in order to provide evidence for the extent of lymph node dissection and the operation access.


METHODS
A retrospective study was performed on the specimens of 72 patients who underwent radical operation of right transthoracic approach and the features of lymph node metastasis were explored.


RESULTS
Lymph node metastases were found in 48 of 72 patients (66.7%). In 1495 lymph nodes dissected, metastases was identified in 181 lymph nodes (12.1%). The rate of lymph node metastasis in the right and left recurrent laryngeal nerve was 30.6% and 12.5% respectively. Lymph node metastasis was associated with tumor size and tumor invasion depth (both P<0.05), while tumor location and differentiation of tumor cells were not significant (both P>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The lymph node metastasis in thoracic esophageal carcinoma can be easily found in the right recurrent laryngeal nerve. The best surgical approach of thoracic esophageal carcinoma is the right transthoracic approach.
Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital, Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China. xiaogaoming617@163.com.
Yue-jun
YJ
Chen
Qiu-yi
QY
Zou
Guang
G
Zhu
Yi
Y
Tang
Guan-yu
GY
Wu
Zhe-liang
ZL
Liu
Gao-ming
GM
Xiao
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies