title: Lymph node micrometastases of adenocarcinoma located in gastroesophagal junction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of micrometastases (MM) and tumor cell microinvolvement (TCM) in regional lymph nodes of patients with gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  61 patients with adenocarcinoma (stage N0) were included in this study. Lymph nodes removed during surgery were examined using mixed monoclonal antibodies against pan-cytokeratins (AE1/AE3). Micrometastases was defined as single neoplastic cells or infiltration with diameter below 0.5 mm but not involving the interstitium.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Micrometastases were found in 2 cases with adenocarcinoma type I and 4 cases with type III. Tumor cell microinvolvement was found in 2 cases of either adenocarcinoma type I or type III (according to Siewert's classification). Presence of MM did not influence survival rate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite no influence of MM presence on survival rate, MM came from adenocarcinoma type III more frequently. The presence of MM proved lack of homogeneity in the group of N0 stage and makes evaluation advantageous.
authors.affiliation: Janusz Włodarczyk, Department of General Thoracic Surgery, John Paul II Hospital, Prądnicka 80, 31-202 Krakow, tel. +48 12 614 20 28, fax +48 12 614 34 31, e-mail: jr.wlodarczyk@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Janusz
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Włodarczyk
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mueller
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Włodarczyk
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061206:Neoplasm Micrometastasis / Q000473:pathology*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging