Nk. Altorki et Db. Skinner, OCCULT CERVICAL NODAL METASTASIS IN ESOPHAGEAL CANCER - PRELIMINARY-RESULTS OF 3-FIELD LYMPHADENECTOMY, Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, 113(3), 1997, pp. 540-544
The extent of lymphadenectomy for carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus
remains debatable, A prospective study was initiated in August 1994 to
evaluate the patterns of nodal spread after esophagectomy with three-
field lymph node dissection, The hospital mortality rate was 3.3%. Nod
al metastases occurred in 73% (22/30) of patients, The most commonly a
ffected nodal groups were the lesser curvature nodes (57%), parahiatal
nodes (42%), and the right recurrent nodes (35%), Cervical nodal meta
stasis occurred in 10 patients (35%) irrespective of tumor location or
T status, The cervical field of dissection was as likely as the media
stinum to be a site of nodal disease, These findings should be conside
red when the operative strategy for esophageal carcinoma is planned.