The Number of Harvested LNs Is an Independent Prognostic Factor in Lymph Node Metastasis-negative Patients Who Received Curative Esophagectomy.

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIM:

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the optimal number of harvested LNs (LNs) in patients who were LN metastasis-negative after curative esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Sixty-one patients who underwent curative surgery for esophageal cancer between 2005 and 2017 and diagnosed as lymph node metastasis-negative were included in this study.

RESULTS:

The 5-year overall survival rates were 27.8% for 0-20 harvested LNs, 35.7% for 21-30 harvested LNs, 79.4% for 31-40 harvested LNs, and 85.2% for ≥41 harvested LNs. Thirty harvested LNs was regarded as the optimal critical point of classification, considering the 5-year OS rate. The number of harvested LNs was selected as a significant prognostic factor in both univariate and multivariate analyses. The respective 3- and 5-year OS rates were 50.3% and 36.7% for <30 harvested LNs and 82.4% and 82.4% for ≥30 harvested LNs (p=0.003).

CONCLUSION:

Thirty or more harvested LNs was a significant prognostic factor in patients with metastasis-negative LNs after curative esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. Therefore, the number of harvested LNs might be useful for predicting the LN metastasis status in esophageal cancer.

• Authors: Toru Aoyama, Yosuke Atsumi, Shinnosuke Kawahara, Hiroshi Tamagawa, Ayako Tamagawa, Yukio Maezawa, Kazuki Kano, Masaaki Murakawa, Keisuke Kazama, Masakatsu Numata, Takashi Oshima, Norio Yukawa, Munetaka Masuda, Yasushi Rino
• Journal: In vivo (Athens, Greece) (In Vivo) 2020 Jul-Aug Vol. 34 Issue 4 Pg. 2021-2027 ISSN: 1791-7549 [Electronic] Greece
• PMID: 32606176 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright© 2020, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.

Topics

• Esophageal Neoplasms (pathology, surgery)
• Esophagectomy
• Humans
• Lymph Node Excision
• Lymph Nodes (pathology, surgery)
• Lymphatic Metastasis
• Neoplasm Staging
• Prognosis
• Retrospective Studies
• Survival Rate