The Prognostic Value Of Nodal Skip Metastasis In Resectable Thoracic Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Purpose:This study aims to investigate the incidence of nodal skip metastasis(NSM),identify risk factors influencing NSM and assess the prognostic value of NSM in patients with thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC).Methods:Between January 2011 and December 2013,113 patients who underwent complete resection with positive lymph node with ESCC were enrolled.Results:For the entire group,NSM occurred in 43.4%(49/113)patients.The median survival time and 5-year survival rate in the NSM group were 18.0 months and 3.0%,compared with 31.0months and 30.0% in the non-NSM group,respectively(p<0.0001).Gender(P=0.027),age(p =0.008)and Tumor differentiation(P=0.026)were associated with the incidence of NSM.Location of tumor(p = 0.014),T stage(p = 0.000),N stage(p = 0.000)and NSM(p = 0.001)were independent prognostic factor on survival.Conclusion:It concluded that NSM was common in ESCC and associated with negative survival.