Risk Factors for Local Recurrence and Optimal Length of Esophagectomy in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Local recurrence after esophagectomy in esophageal cancer is related to lymphatic metastasis rather than to proximal margin status, which raises the possibility that the main mechanism of local recurrence is submucosal lymphatic metastasis. Esophagectomy with LPM more than 5 cm is recommended for esophageal cancer with nodal metastasis.