Does Pseudo-Lymph Node Skip Metastasis After Neoadjuvant Therapy Affect Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Outcomes? A Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND

Unlike classical lymph node skip metastasis, pseudo-lymph node skip metastasis occurs when proximal lymph nodes show therapeutic alleviation, while distal lymph nodes remain positive in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after neoadjuvant therapy.

OBJECTIVE

This multicenter study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of pseudo-lymph node skip metastasis.

METHODS

We analyzed 1030 patients with esophageal cancer treated with neoadjuvant therapy followed by esophagectomy at three tertiary centers in China from 2010 to 2023. Lymph node skip metastasis categorization was based on the Japan Esophagus Society staging system, which classifies lymph node metastasis based on specific lymph node stations involved.

RESULTS

Overall, skip metastasis showed no significant prognostic difference from non-skip metastasis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after neoadjuvant therapy; however, distinguishing overall lymph node skip metastasis into classical lymph node skip metastasis and pseudo-lymph node skip metastasis revealed that patients with classical lymph node skip metastasis had better overall and disease-free survival compared with those with non-skip metastasis, whereas patients with pseudo-lymph node skip metastasis had worse outcomes. Pseudo-lymph node skip metastasis emerged as an independent prognostic factor for overall and disease-free survival, while classical lymph node skip metastasis independently predicted disease-free survival. Nomograms based on lymph node skip metastasis status effectively predicted overall and disease-free survival.

CONCLUSIONS

This finding suggests that clinicians should exercise caution when evaluating lymph node skip metastasis in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma receiving neoadjuvant therapy, as the prognostic implications of classical lymph node skip metastasis and pseudo-lymph node skip metastasis are completely opposite. Prediction models based on lymph node skip metastasis status aid individualized decision making for clinicians.