The prevalence of lymph node metastasis for pathological T1 esophageal cancer: a retrospective study of 143 cases

T1 EC has a relatively high LNM rate, and the depth of tumor infiltration, tumor size, tumor location and tumor differentiation are correlated with LNM. The LNM risk and extent must be considered comprehensively in decision-making of a better surgical treatment and lymph node dissection strategy.