Research Article

Impact of the number of lymph nodes sampled on outcome in ypT0N0 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients†

  1. Yin-Kai Chao MD, PHD1,*,
  2. Hui-Ping Liu MD2,
  3. Ming-Ju Hsieh MD3,
  4. Yi-Cheng Wu MD3,
  5. Yun-Hen Liu MD3,
  6. Chi-Hsiao Yeh MD1,
  7. Hsien-Kun Chang MD4,
  8. Chen-Kan Tseng MD5

Article first published online: 4 MAY 2012

DOI: 10.1002/jso.23103

Issue

Journal of Surgical Oncology

Journal of Surgical Oncology

Volume 106, Issue 4, pages 436–440, 15 September 2012

Additional Information

How to Cite

Chao, Y.-K., Liu, H.-P., Hsieh, M.-J., Wu, Y.-C., Liu, Y.-H., Yeh, C.-H., Chang, H.-K. and Tseng, C.-K. (2012), Impact of the number of lymph nodes sampled on outcome in ypT0N0 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients. J. Surg. Oncol., 106: 436–440. doi: 10.1002/jso.23103

Author Information

  1. 1

    Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan

  2. 2

    Division of Thoracic Surgery, BENQ Medical Center, Nanjing, China

  3. 3

    Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan

  4. 4

    Division of Haematology/Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan

  5. 5

    Department of Radiation Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan

*Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan; Fax: 886-3-3285818.

  1. †

    Conflicts of interest: None.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 14 AUG 2012
  2. Article first published online: 4 MAY 2012
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 27 FEB 2012
  4. Manuscript Received: 10 NOV 2011

Funded by

  • Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. Grant Number: CMRPG2A0051

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Keywords:

  • lymph node dissection;
  • esophageal cancer;
  • chemoradiotherapy;
  • pathological complete response

Abstract

Background

Higher extent of lymph node dissection (LND) is beneficial in primarily resected esophageal cancer patients by providing accurate staging and better tumor control. Achieving pathological complete response (pCR) after chemoradiotherapy (CRT) also represents better outcome. We studied the controversial question whether higher LND could further improve survival after pCR.

Method

Between 1996 and 2007, Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients with pCR after CRT were included. Based on the median number of dissected lymph node, patients were divided into two groups (Group 1: Lower LND; Group 2: Higher LND). We compared the demographic features, perioperative outcomes, recurrence, and survival between groups.

Results

The cohort comprised 101 patients (100 males and one female) with a mean age of 58 years. There were 56 and 45 patients in Group 1 and 2, respectively. Clinical features and perioperative outcome were similar between groups. During a mean follow-up of 78.8 months, 32 (33.7%) patients died of the disease and 35.8% of patients developed recurrence. There was no difference in locoregional (11.3% vs. 9.5%, P = 0.78) or distant recurrence (22.6% vs. 33.3%, P = 0.18) between the two groups. Patients with lowest LND also had similar outcomes as those with the highest LND. The 5-year disease specific survival rate was 65 and 64% in Group 1 and 2, respectively.

Conclusion

In ESCC patients, the number of negative lymph nodes had no prognostic impact after pCR. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 106:436–440. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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