Abstract:

The 7th edition of International Union Against Cancer (UICC) TNM staging system for esophageal cancers has been markedly revised in 2009 based on the former edition, and its clinical significance needs to be evaluated so as to better direct therapeutic management of the disease in China. Experience in selective three-field lymph node dissection from Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University indicates that the new staging system can effectively predict long-term prognosis for thoracic esophageal squamous cancers. Depth of tumor invasion and extent of lymph node involvement are the two most important prognostic factors. Squamous carcinomas located at thoracic esophagus predominate in Chinese patients. As the majority of Chinese patients tend to have locally advanced diseases, much effort is needed to increase the accuracy of preoperative staging, and to include effective induction therapies into a multidisciplinary setting so as to improve surgical outcomes.

Key words: esophageal cancer, surgery, lymph node metastasis, staging