Nodal Status in Adenocarcinoma of the Esophagus an Cardia

Adenocarcinoma of the distal esophagus and cardia are grouped among the thoracic tumors according to the TNM 7th ed., however controversy is pending on the unique or dual pathogenesis (GERD or gastric-like cancerogenesis). It has been shown that biological patterns differ according to the presence (+) or absence (-) of Barrett's epithelium (BIM) and gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM) in the fundus and antrum. Lymphatic metastatic spreading may differ according to the type of tumor. The investigators retrospectively investigated the pathways of lymphatic spreading in 194 consecutive patients who received radical surgery for adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and cardia with or without BIM and GIM.