Distribution of lymph nodes and lymph node metastases in esophageal carcinoma

Abstract Lymph node metastases are an independent prognostic factor in esophageal cancer. Accurate pathologic work up depends on detailed knowledges of number and anatomic distribution of lymph nodes and metastases. Factors that may determinate metastatic spread are also important. One hundred and fifty-six patients with esophageal cancer were included in this study. Number and localization of nodes and metastases were documented and correlated with localization, infiltration deepness and grade of malignancy of the tumor. The effectivity of the search for nodes and metastases was also studied. We found 3869 lymph nodes containing 338 metastases in the 156 specimens (median 25 and 2). 53.2% of the cases exhibited metastases and 15.4% contained only solitary metastasis. The minimal number of lymph nodes for excluding of metastasis was about six nodes. Most of the nodes were found at lower esophagus and on the oral stomach resection. Tumors of the middle and upper thoracal esophagus spread also frequently to the nodes along the lesser curvature of the stomach. Between infiltration deepness and grade of malignancy of the tumors a positive association was found. Lymph node metastases are a frequent pathological feature in esophageal cancer which depends on infiltration deepness and grade of malignancy of the tumor. This allows the estimation of metastatic spread. For staging a minimum of six nodes must be found in the specimen. In this context the frequent metastases along the lesser curvature of the stomach must be considered.