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Prognostic significance of the endoluminal ultrasound defined lymph node metastasis count in esophageal cancer.

4558 Background: TNM histopathological staging system for esophageal cancer is controversial, and will soon be revised to account for the relative burden of the number of lymph node metastases. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic significance of endoluminal ultrasound (EUS) defined lymph node metastasis count (eLNMC) in patients with esophageal cancer.


METHODS
Two hundred and sixty-seven consecutive patients (median age 63 yr, 187 m) underwent EUS followed by stage directed multidisciplinary treatment [183 esophagectomy (92 neoadjuvant chemotherapy), 79 definitive chemoradiotherapy, and 5 palliative therapy]. The eLMNC was subdivided into four groups (0, 1, 2 to 4, >4) and the primary measure of outcome was survival.


RESULTS
Survival was related to EUS T stage (p<0.0001), EUS N stage (p<0.0001), EUS tumour length (p<0.0001), and the eLNMC (p<0.0001). Multivariable analysis revealed EUS tumour length (HR 1.071, 95% CI 1.008 to 1.138, p=0.027) and eLNMC (HR 1.302, 95% CI 1.133 to 1.496, p<0.0001) to be significantly and independently associated with survival. Median and 2 year survival for patients with 0, 1, 2 to 4, and >4 lymph node metastases were: 44 months and 71%; 36 months and 59%; 24 months and 50%; and 17 months and 32% respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The eLNMC was an important and significant prognostic indicator in patients with esophageal cancer, which should in future be reported and used to revise the perceived radiological stage, in order to inform stage directed multimodal therapy. No significant financial relationships to disclose.