Submucosal Invasive Depth Predicts Lymph Node Metastasis and Poor Prognosis in Submucosal Invasive Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

Objectives Lymph node metastasis (LNM) in submucosal invasive esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SM-ESCC) is a prognostic factor. The aim of this study was to identify a histopathologic predictor of LNM in SM-ESCC. Methods In total, 108 patients who underwent an esophagectomy and lymph node dissection without preoperative therapy and who were pathologically diagnosed with SM-ESCC were enrolled in this study. Relationships between several clinicopathologic factors and LNM were examined. Results A multivariate analysis revealed that a tumor size of 35 mm or more (P =.0025), submucosal invasive depth (SID) of 2,000 μm or more (P =.013), and lymphatic infiltration (P