ObjectiveTo review the lymph node metastasis pattern and its dissection value among adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG) patients, in order to assist suitable individualized lymph node dissection strategies for diverse AEG patients. MethodsThe reports about lymph node metastasis and the value of dissection of AEG worldwide in recent years were retrieved and summarized. ResultsThe sites with higher lymph node metastasis rate of AEG included No.1, No.2, No.3, No.7 lymph nodes, etc. and sites with higher lymph node metastasis rate often benefit from dissection. Lymph node metastasis was related to factors such as tumor size and location, and lymph node dissection at individual sites is still controversial. ConclusionThe lymph node dissection range of AEG is highly controversial, especially for Siewert type Ⅱ AEG, which still requires prospective multicenter studies to prove.
Advanced Siewert type Ⅱ adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG) has a unique anatomical location and exhibits heterogeneous biological behavior resembling both esophageal and gastric cancers. It is associated with a high risk of bidirectional lymphatic metastasis to the abdominal cavity and mediastinum, and is often diagnosed at a relatively advanced stage. Therefore, the establishment of precision surgical treatment strategies for this disease remains challenged by several key issues. Based on the latest clinical evidence, guidelines, and expert consensus from China and abroad, and combined with our institutional clinical experience, this article discusses the individualized selection of surgical approaches, precise definition of the extent of lymphadenectomy, safe threshold for the proximal esophageal resection margin, and strategies for digestive tract reconstruction.