Prediction of lymph node status in patients with superficial esophageal carcinoma: analysis of 160 surgically resected cancers

Background The ability to predict lymph node metastasis in cases of superficial esophageal carcinoma before surgery would allow the identification of specific patients who do not require additional surgical resection after endoscopic local resection. Methods From 1980 to 2002 a total of 160 patients with superficial esophageal carcinoma, Tis or T1 tumors, underwent subtotal esophagectomy with lymph node dissection. On the basis of clinicopathologic data the risk factors for lymph node metastases are discussed. Results Patients with tumors that showed submucosal invasion, a nonflat shape, and lymphatic invasion had a higher risk for lymph node metastasis than the other patients. Multivariate analysis showed that the tumor depth and the macroscopic shape of the tumor were independent risk factors for lymph node metastases. Conclusions Esophagectomy with lymph node dissection is recommended for patients with submucosal cancer. Local tumor resection can be recommended for patients with mucosal cancer without lymphatic invasion.