Risk factors for lymph node metastasis in superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

In this editorial,we comment on the article by Wang et al published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Gastroenterology in 2023.We focused on identifying risk factors for lymph node metastasis(LNM)in superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(SESCC)patients and how to construct a simple and reliable clinical prediction model to assess the risk of LNM in SESCC patients,thereby helping to guide the selection of an appropriate treatment plan.The current standard treatment for SESCC is radical esophagectomy with lymph node dissection.However,esophagectomy is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality.Endoscopic resection(ER)offers a safer and less invasive alternative to surgical resection and can enable the patient's quality of life to be maintained while providing a satisfactory outcome.However,since ER is a localized treatment that does not allow for lymph node dissection,the risk of LNM in SESCC limits the effectiveness of ER.Understanding LNM status can aid in determining whether patients with SESCC can be cured by ER without the need for additional esophagectomy.Previous studies have shown that tumor size,macroscopic type of tumor,degree of differentiation,depth of tumor invasion,and lymphovascular invasion are factors associated with LNM in patients with SESCC.In addition,tumor budding is commonly associated with LNM,recurrence,and distant metastasis,but this topic has been less covered in previous studies.By comprehensively evaluating the above risk factors for LNM,useful evidence can be obtained for doctors to select appropriate treatments for SESCC patients.

Risk factors and a predictive nomogram for lymph node metastasis in superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND Superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)is defined as cancer infiltrating the mucosa and submucosa,regardless of regional lymph node metastasis(LNM).Endoscopic resection of superficial ESCC is suitable for lesions that have no or low risk of LNM.Patients with a high risk of LNM always need further treatment after endoscopic resection.Therefore,accurately assessing the risk of LNM is critical for additional treatment options.AIM To analyze risk factors for LNM and develop a nomogram to predict LNM risk in superficial ESCC patients.METHODS Clinical and pathological data of superficial ESCC patients undergoing esophagectomy from January 1,2009 to January 31,2016 were collected.Logistic regression analysis was used to predict LNM risk factors,and a nomogram was developed based on risk factors derived from multivariate logistic regression analysis.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to obtain the accuracy of the nomogram model.RESULTSA total of 4660 patients with esophageal cancer underwent esophagectomy.Of these,474 superficial ESCC patientswere enrolled in the final analysis,with 322 patients in the training set and 142 patients in the validation set.Theprevalence of LNM was 3.29%(5/152)for intramucosal cancer and increased to 26.40%(85/322)for submucosalcancer.Multivariate logistic analysis showed that tumor size,invasive depth,tumor differentiation,infiltrativegrowth pattern,tumor budding,and lymphovascular invasion were significantly correlated with LNM.Anomogram using these six variables showed good discrimination with an area under the ROC curve of 0.789(95%CI:0.737-0.841)in the training set and 0.827(95%CI:0.755-0.899)in the validation set.CONCLUSIONWe developed a useful nomogram model to predict LNM risk for superficial ESCC patients which will facilitateadditional decision-making in treating patients who undergo endoscopic resection.

Study of preoperative diagnostic modalities in Chinese patients with superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND Endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS)and magnifying endoscopy(ME)reliably determine indications for endoscopic resection in patients with superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(SESCC).ME is widely accepted for predicting the invasion depth of superficial esophageal cancer with satisfying accuracy.However,the addition of EUS is controversial.AIM To evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of ME vs EUS for invasion depth prediction and investigate the influencing factors in patients with SESCC to determine the best diagnostic model in China.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed patients with suspected SESCC who completed both ME and EUS and then underwent endoscopic or surgical resection at Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center between January 2018 and December 2021.We evaluated and compared the diagnostic efficiency of EUS and ME according to histological results,and investigated the influencing factors.RESULTS We included 152 lesions from 144 patients in this study.The diagnostic accuracies of ME and EUS in differentiating invasion depth were not significantly different(73.0%and 66.4%,P=0.24);both demonstrated moderate consistency with the pathological results(ME:kappa=0.58,95%confidence interval[CI]:0.48-0.68,P<0.01;EUS:kappa=0.46,95%CI:0.34-0.57,P<0.01).ME was significantly more accurate in the diagnosis of high-grade intraepithelial(HGIN)or carcinoma in situ(odds ratio[OR]=3.62,95%CI:1.43-9.16,P=0.007)subgroups.Using a miniature probe rather than conventional EUS can improve the accuracy of lesion depth determination(82.3%vs 49.3%,P<0.01).Less than a quarter of circumferential occupation and application of a miniature probe were independent risk factors for the accuracy of tumor invasion depth as assessed by EUS(<1/4 circumferential occupation:OR=3.07,95%CI:1.04-9.10;application of a miniature probe:OR=5.28,95%CI:2.41-11.59,P<0.01).Of the 41 lesions(41/152,27.0%)that were misdiagnosed by ME,24 were corrected by EUS(24/41,58.5%).CONCLUSION Preoperative diagnosis of SESCC should be conducted endoscopically using white light and magnification.In China,EUS can be added after obtaining patient consent.Use of a highfrequency miniature probe or miniature probe combined with conventional EUS is preferable.

Risk analysis of lymph node metastasis in 285 patients with superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Objective To identify risk factors of lymph node metastasis in superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC),and to provide evidence for treatment choice under endoscope.Methods From January 2007 to December 2011,285 patients with pathologically diagnosed ESCC who received surgery and had clear record of lymph nodes resection were enrolled.The clinical pathological data of these patients were analyzed。