Definitive radiotherapy in patients with clinical T1N0M0 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a multicenter retrospective study (KROG 21-10)

In esophagus, due to the rich lymphatic channel extending from the submucosal layer to the thoracic duct, lymph can travel the entire length of the esophagus before draining into the lymph nodes, and makes the entire esophagus a potential risk area of lymphatic metastasis.[1,2] Thus, most of the cases present at an advanced stage, and the prognosis of such patients is dismal, with 5-year overall survival rate for all stages reported to be 14.3%.[3]
Source: Radiotherapy and Oncology - Category: Radiology Authors: Source Type: research