The clinical impact of supraclavicular lymph node metastasis in patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma receiving curative concurrent chemoradiotherapy

PLoS One. 2018 Jun 11;13(6):e0198800. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0198800. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Background: To evaluate the clinical significance of supraclavicular lymph node (SCLN) in patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) receiving curative concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT).

Materials and methods: We retrospectively analyzed all 369 locally advanced ESCC patients treated with CCRT between 2000 and 2015, including 70 patients with SCLN metastasis and 299 patients without SCLN metastasis.

Results: For these locally advanced ESCC patients treated with curative CCRT, N0-2 were significantly associated with superior progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in univariate and multivariable analyses. However, there were no significant differences in PFS and OS between the SCLN metastasis and non-SCLN metastasis groups; a subgroup analysis also revealed there was no significant differences in PFS and OS between patients with and without SCLN metastasis either in the N0-2 or in the N3 subgroup analysis.

Conclusions: Our study suggests that SCLN metastasis is not a prognostic factor in locally advanced ESCC patients receiving curative CCRT, and that SCLNs should be considered to be regional LNs and treated with curative intent.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / mortality
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / therapy*
  • Chemoradiotherapy
  • Databases, Factual
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / mortality
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Survival Analysis

Grants and funding

This work was supported by Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, CMRPG8E1533 and CMRPG8G0891, Dr. Shau-Hsuan Li; National Science Council (TW), NSC 105-2314-B-182A-029, Dr. Yen-Hao Chen; Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, CMRPG8E0592, Dr. Yen-Hao Chen; National Science Council, 106-2314-B-182A-159-MY3 and MOST 106-2320-B-182A-015, Dr. Shau-Hsuan Li.