/Zhu Kunshou(朱坤寿，Dept Thorac Surg，Fujian Provin Tumor Hosp，Fujian Med Univ Teaching Hosp，Fuzhou 350014)…∥Chin J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg.-2011，27(5).-289 ～290

ObjectiveTo investigate the pattern of lymph node metastasis in patients with T2 and middle thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC).MethodsThe clinical data of 246 cases with T2 and middle thoracic esophageat squamous cell carcinoma who were treated by three-field lymphadenectomy were retrospectively reviewed.The T2 and middle thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who were treated by three-field lymphadenectomy，the relationship between clinical pathological factors and lymph node metastasis were analysed.ResultsLymph node metastasts were found in 129 of the 246 patients(52.4%).The average number of resected lymphnodes was 25 per patient(range15-59).The rates of lymph node metastasis were 28.9%in the neck，28.5%in thoracic mediastinum and 22.0%in abdominal cavity for patients with T2 and middle thoracic ESCC.No significant difference in lymph node metastasis’rate was observed among the neck，thoracic mediastinum and abdominal cavity.Logistic-regression showed the length of tumor，tumor cell differentiation and angiolymphatic invasion were the factors influeneing lymph node metastasis.ConclusionLymph node metastasis in T2 and middle thoracic ESCC has the characteristic of upward，downward and skip spreading.Patients with T2 and middle thoracic ESCC should be treated by radical surgery with threefield lymphadenectomy.8 refs.1 tab.