2000 Volume 61 Issue 7 Pages 1661-1669
Clinicopathological study was made on 111 thoracic esophageal cancers experienced in the 1st department of Surgery of the Shiga University of Medical Science from 1979 to 1998. Cancers positioned in the middle part of the esophagus accounted for 68.2% of all cases. Stage 3 and 4 advanced cancers accounted for 61.7% of all lesions, and the frequency of early cancer was 22%. The lymph node metastasis to the upper mediastinum, especially along the recurrent nerves, was observed with a high frequency (60%) in the Ut cases. The lymph node metastasis in the neck was observed frequently in the Ut (20%) and Mt cases (19.4%), and the lymph node metastasis to the abdominal region was observed frequently in Lt cases (47.8%). In cases of superficial esophageal cancer, the lymph node metastasis was observed as a tumor invaded the depth of middle layer of submucosa (sm2). No cancer death occurred in cases of mucosal (m) and sml superficial cancer, however, the 5-year survival rates of sm2 and sm3 cases decreased remarkably. If the lymph node dissection along the recurrent nerves is reliable, significant difference in the survival rate was not recognized between the 2-field lymph node dissection and 3-field lymph node dissection.
Nihon Rinsho Geka Gakkai Zasshi (Journal of Japan Surgical Association)
