1
|
Khoma O, Paredes SR, Park JS, Kennedy CW, Falk GL. Extensive lymphadenectomy may improve survival in node negative oesophageal cancer. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2711. [PMID: 38302610 PMCID: PMC10834959 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53245-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Lymph node metastases are a major prognostic factor in survival of patients with oesophageal cancer. The number of lymph nodes removed during oesophagectomy has been previously proven to be associated with improved survival. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of lymph node harvest on survival specifically in pathologically node negative (pN0) patients with oesophageal cancer. Data were extracted from a prospectively populated single-surgeon database of oesophageal resections for cancer. All consecutive patients with pN0 were included. Patient-specific risk adjusted analysis of overall and disease-free survival was performed to identify the number of lymph nodes associated with improved survival. Inclusion criteria were met by 137 patients (49 squamous cell carcinoma and 88 adenocarcinoma). Adjusted for cancer stage, tumour (histological type, degree of differentiation, lympho-vascular invasion, neo-adjuvant therapy) and patient related factors (age, sex), increased lymph node number was associated with significant improvement in overall (P = 0.045) and disease free (P = 0.030) survival. Lymph node count ≥ 17 was associated with improved overall and disease-free survival. In this cohort of patients with pathologically node-negative oesophageal cancer, lymph node count of 17 or above was associated with significantly improved survival.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Oleksandr Khoma
- School of Medicine, University of Notre Dame, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Upper GI Surgery, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Concord, NSW, Australia
| | - Steven R Paredes
- Discipline of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Jin-Soo Park
- School of Medicine, University of Notre Dame, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Upper GI Surgery, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Concord, NSW, Australia
| | - Catherine W Kennedy
- Upper GI Surgery, Strathfield Private Hospital, Strathfield, NSW, Australia
- Upper GI Surgery, Sydney Adventist Hospital, Wahroonga, NSW, Australia
- Discipline of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Gregory L Falk
- Upper GI Surgery, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Concord, NSW, Australia
- Sydney Heartburn Clinic, Lindfield, NSW, Australia
- Discipline of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Li K, Nie X, Li C, He W, Wang C, Du K, Li K, Liu K, Li Z, Lu S, Ni K, Huang Y, Jiang L, Wang K, Li H, Fang Q, Xiao W, Han Y, Leng X, Peng L. Mapping of Lymph Node Metastasis and Efficacy Index in Thoracic Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Large-Scale Retrospective Analysis. Ann Surg Oncol 2023; 30:5856-5865. [PMID: 37227576 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-023-13655-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma has a high mortality rate in China. The metastatic pattern in the lymph nodes and the value of their dissection on the overall survival of these patients remain controversial. The primary aim of this study was to provide a basis for accurate staging of esophageal cancer and to identify the relationship between esophageal cancer surgery, lymph node dissection, and overall survival rates. METHODS We utilized our hospital database to retrospectively review the data of 1727 patients with esophageal cancer who underwent R0 esophagectomy from January 2010 to December 2017. The lymph nodes were defined according to Japanese Classification of Esophageal Cancer, 11th Edition. The Efficacy Index (EI) was calculated by multiplying the frequency (%) of metastases to a zone and the 5-year survival rate (%) of patients with metastases to that zone, and then dividing by 100. RESULTS The EI was high in the supraclavicular and mediastinal zones in patients with upper esophageal tumors, and the EI of 101R was 17.39, which was the highest among the lymph node stations. In patients with middle esophageal tumors, the EI was highest in the mediastinal zone, followed by the celiac and supraclavicular zones. Furthermore, the EI was highest in the celiac zone, followed by the mediastinal zones in patients with lower esophageal tumors. CONCLUSIONS The EI of resected lymph nodes was found to vary between stations and was related to the primary location of the tumor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kexun Li
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Sichuan Cancer Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Nie
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Sichuan Cancer Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Changding Li
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Sichuan Cancer Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenwu He
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Sichuan Cancer Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Chenghao Wang
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Sichuan Cancer Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Kunyi Du
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Sichuan Cancer Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Kunzhi Li
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Sichuan Cancer Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Kun Liu
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Sichuan Cancer Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiyu Li
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Sichuan Cancer Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Simiao Lu
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Sichuan Cancer Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Kunhan Ni
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Sichuan Cancer Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yixuan Huang
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Sichuan Cancer Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Longlin Jiang
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Sichuan Cancer Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Kangning Wang
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Sichuan Cancer Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Haojun Li
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Sichuan Cancer Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiang Fang
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Sichuan Cancer Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenguang Xiao
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Sichuan Cancer Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongtao Han
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Sichuan Cancer Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuefeng Leng
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Sichuan Cancer Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Lin Peng
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Sichuan Cancer Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhang ST, Wang SY, Zhang J, Dong D, Mu W, Xia XE, Fu FF, Lu YN, Wang S, Tang ZC, Li P, Qu JR, Wang MY, Tian J, Liu JH. Artificial intelligence-based computer-aided diagnosis system supports diagnosis of lymph node metastasis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: A multicenter study. Heliyon 2023; 9:e14030. [PMID: 36923854 PMCID: PMC10009687 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background This study aimed to develop an artificial intelligence-based computer-aided diagnosis system (AI-CAD) emulating the diagnostic logic of radiologists for lymph node metastasis (LNM) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients, which contributed to clinical treatment decision-making. Methods A total of 689 ESCC patients with PET/CT images were enrolled from three hospitals and divided into a training cohort and two external validation cohorts. 452 CT images from three publicly available datasets were also included for pretraining the model. Anatomic information from CT images was first obtained automatically using a U-Net-based multi-organ segmentation model, and metabolic information from PET images was subsequently extracted using a gradient-based approach. AI-CAD was developed in the training cohort and externally validated in two validation cohorts. Results The AI-CAD achieved an accuracy of 0.744 for predicting pathological LNM in the external cohort and a good agreement with a human expert in two external validation cohorts (kappa = 0.674 and 0.587, p < 0.001). With the aid of AI-CAD, the human expert's diagnostic performance for LNM was significantly improved (accuracy [95% confidence interval]: 0.712 [0.669-0.758] vs. 0.833 [0.797-0.865], specificity [95% confidence interval]: 0.697 [0.636-0.753] vs. 0.891 [0.851-0.928]; p < 0.001) among patients underwent lymphadenectomy in the external validation cohorts. Conclusions The AI-CAD could aid in preoperative diagnosis of LNM in ESCC patients and thereby support clinical treatment decision-making.
Collapse
Key Words
- 18F-FDG PET/CT, 18-fluorine-fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography/computed tomography
- AI, Artificial intelligence
- AI-CAD, Artificial intelligence-based computer-aided diagnosis
- Artificial intelligence
- CI, Confidence interval
- CT, Computed tomography
- ESCC, Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
- Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
- LNM, Lymph node metastasis
- Lymph node metastasis
- OS, Overall survival
- PET/CT
- PFS, Progression-free survival
- SD, Standard deviation
- SLR, Ratio of the SUV value to liver uptake
- SUV, Standardized uptake value
- cN, Clinical N stage
- nCRT, Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy
- pN, Pathological N stage
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuai-Tong Zhang
- School of Medical Technology, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China.,Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Big Data-Based Precision Medicine, School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, The State Key Laboratory of Management and Control for Complex Systems, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Big Data-Based Precision Medicine, Beihang University, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Si-Yun Wang
- Department of PET Center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Zhuhai City People's Hospital/Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated to Jinan University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China
| | - Di Dong
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, The State Key Laboratory of Management and Control for Complex Systems, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Mu
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Big Data-Based Precision Medicine, School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Big Data-Based Precision Medicine, Beihang University, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Xue-Er Xia
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, General Surgery Center, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Fang-Fang Fu
- Department of Medical Imaging, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Ya-Nan Lu
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Shuo Wang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Big Data-Based Precision Medicine, School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Big Data-Based Precision Medicine, Beihang University, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Zhen-Chao Tang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Big Data-Based Precision Medicine, School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Big Data-Based Precision Medicine, Beihang University, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Peng Li
- Department of PET Center, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Jin-Rong Qu
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Mei-Yun Wang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Jie Tian
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Big Data-Based Precision Medicine, School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, The State Key Laboratory of Management and Control for Complex Systems, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Big Data-Based Precision Medicine, Beihang University, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Jian-Hua Liu
- Department of Oncology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ma K, Wang H, Fang C, Jiang X, Ma J. Development and validation of the novel subclassification of pN3 for patients with esophageal cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1113711. [PMID: 37205185 PMCID: PMC10187992 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1113711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Patients with stage pN3 esophageal cancer (EC) have a large number of metastatic lymph nodes (mLNs) and have poor prognosis. This study was to elucidate whether subclassification of pN3 according to the number of mLNs could improve the discrimination ability of EC patients. Methods This study retrospectively analyzed patients with pN3 EC from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database as a training cohort and SEER validation cohort. Patients with pN3 esophageal cancer from the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Harbin Medical University were used as the validation cohort. The optimal cutoff value of mLNs was identified using the X-tile software, and group pN3 into pN3-I and pN3-II based on mLNs. Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used to analyze the disease-specific survival (DSS). The Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to identify the independent prognostic factors. Results For the training cohort, patients with 7 to 9 mLNs were categorized as pN3-I, while those with more than 9 mLNs were categorized as pN3-II. There were 183 (53.8%) pN3-I and 157 (46.2%) pN3-II. The 5-year DSS rates of pN3-I and pN3-II in the training cohort were 11.7% and 5.2% (P=0.033), and the pN3 subclassification was an independent risk factor associated with patient prognosis. More RLNs may not improve patient prognosis, but the use of mLNs/RLNs is effective in predicting patient prognosis. Furthermore, the pN3 subclassification was well validated in the validation cohort. Conclusion Subclassification of pN3 can better distinguish survival differences in EC patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Keru Ma
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Esophagus and Mediastinum, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Chengyuan Fang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Esophagus and Mediastinum, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Xiangyu Jiang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Esophagus and Mediastinum, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Jianqun Ma
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Esophagus and Mediastinum, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
- *Correspondence: Jianqun Ma,
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Sachdeva UM, Axtell AL, Kroese TE, Chang DC, Mathisen DJ, Morse CR. Contributing factors to lymph node recovery with esophagectomy by thoracic surgeons: an analysis of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons General Thoracic Surgery Database. Dis Esophagus 2022; 35:6517027. [PMID: 35091737 DOI: 10.1093/dote/doab101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Given the association between lymphadenectomy and survival after esophagectomy, and the ongoing development of effective adjuvant protocols for identified residual disease, we determined factors contributing to lymph node yield and effects on postoperative morbidity following esophagectomy by thoracic surgeons. Using the Society of Thoracic Surgeons General Thoracic Surgery Database, all patients who underwent esophagectomy for primary esophageal cancer with gastric conduit reconstruction from 2012 to 2016 were identified. Patient demographics, technical factors, and tumor characteristics associated with lymph node yield were determined using a multivariable multilevel mixed-effects regression model. Associations between lymph node yield and perioperative morbidity and mortality were similarly assessed. A total of 8480 patients were included. The median number of nodes harvested was 16 [Interquartile Range 11-22]. Factors associated with fewer nodes included female gender (b=-0.53, P=0.032), body mass index <18.5 (b=-1.46, P=0.012), prior cardiothoracic surgery (b=-0.73, P=0.015), intraoperative blood transfusion (b=-1.43, P<0.001), squamous cell histology (b=-0.86, P=0.006), and neoadjuvant treatment (b=-1.41, P<0.001). Operative approach significantly affected lymph node yield, with minimally invasive approaches demonstrating higher lymph node counts, and open transhiatal esophagectomy recovering the fewest nodes. Findings were independent of clinical center. There was no association of higher lymph node yield with 30-day mortality, with only slightly increased risk for chyle leak (odds ratio [OR] 1.02, P=0.012). In conclusion, several patient and tumor factors affect lymph node recovery with esophagectomy, independent of hospital center. Technical aspects, specifically minimally invasive approach, play a significant role in quantified lymph node yield. Higher operative lymph node yield was associated with minimal increased morbidity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Uma M Sachdeva
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andrea L Axtell
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tiuri E Kroese
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Surgery, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - David C Chang
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Douglas J Mathisen
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christopher R Morse
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Tian D, Li HX, Yang YS, Yan HJ, Jiang KY, Zheng YB, Zong ZD, Zhang HL, Guo XG, Wen HY, Chen LQ. The minimum number of examined lymph nodes for accurate nodal staging and optimal survival of stage T1-2 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: A retrospective multicenter cohort with SEER database validation. Int J Surg 2022; 104:106764. [PMID: 35803513 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2022.106764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The extent of lymphadenectomy during esophagectomy remains controversial for patients with T1-2 ESCC. The aim of this study was to identify the minimum number of examined lymph node (ELN) for accurate nodal staging and overall survival (OS) of patients with T1-2 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients with T1-2 ESCC from three institutes between January 2011 and December 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. The associations of ELN count with nodal migration and OS were evaluated using multivariable models, and visualized by using locally weighted scatterplot smoothing (LOWESS). Chow test was used to determine the structural breakpoints of ELN count. External validation in the SEER database was performed. RESULTS In total, 1537 patients were included. Increased ELNs was associated with an increased likelihood of having positive nodal disease and incremental OS. The minimum numbers of ELNs for accurate nodal staging and optimal survival were 14 and 18 with validation in the SEER database (n = 519), respectively. The prognostic prediction ability of N stage was improved in the group with ≥14 ELNs compared with those with fewer ELNs (iAUC, 0.70 (95%CI 0.66-0.74) versus 0.61(95%CI 0.57-0.65)). The higher prognostic value was found for patients with ≥18 ELNs than those with <18 ELNs (iAUC, 0.78 (95%CI 0.74-0.82) versus 0.73 (95%CI 0.7-0.77)). CONCLUSION The minimum numbers of ELNs for accurate nodal staging and optimal survival of stage T1-2 ESCC patients were 14 and 18, respectively.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dong Tian
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China; Department of Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, China; Academician (Expert) Workstation, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong 637000, China
| | - Hao-Xuan Li
- College of Stomatology, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Yu-Shang Yang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Hao-Ji Yan
- College of Medical Imaging, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, China
| | - Kai-Yuan Jiang
- Department of Surgery, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 80-8575, Japan
| | - Yin-Bin Zheng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Nanchong Central Hospital, Nanchong, 637000, China
| | - Zheng-Dong Zong
- College of Clinical Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, China
| | - Han-Lu Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xiao-Guang Guo
- Department of Pathology, Nanchong Central Hospital, Nanchong, 637000, China
| | - Hong-Ying Wen
- Department of Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, China.
| | - Long-Qi Chen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| |
Collapse
|