Cervical lymph node dissection for thoracic esophageal cancer

In order to evaluate the effect of cervical lymph node dissection in surgical treatment of thoracic esophageal cancer, clinico-pathological results were reviewed. I I I patients with thoracic esophageal cancer who underwent esophagectomy with three-field lymph node dissection without preoperative therapy were included in this study. Results. Patients were classified into three groups: group A: no lymph node metastasis (40% of all patients), group B: metastases in any nodes without the supraclavicular nodes (40%), and group C: metastases including the supraclavicular nodes (20%). The cause-specific 5-year survival rate of group C (34%) was significantly worse than group B (70%) and group A (89%). On the other hand, the cause-specific 5-year survival rate of patients who had lymph node metastases in over eight nodes was worst (22%). They occupied 57% of group C and 7% of group B. In cases who had lymph node metastases in less than seven nodes, there was no significant difference in the 5-year survival rate between groups B and C. Conclusion. In cases who have total lymph node metastases in less than seven nodes, including metastases in the neck. cervical dissection would probably be effective.