Higher positive lymph node ratio predicts worse survival in esophageal cancer

Findings indicate that the positive lymph node ratio (plnr) significantly predicts overall and disease-free survival in locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Out of 439 patients, higher plnr was associated with poorer survival outcomes, with an optimal cutoff identified at 10%. Major prognostic factors include plnr and metastatic lymph nodes along the left gastric artery for overall survival, while plnr and total main bronchus lymph nodes were crucial for disease-free survival, highlighting significant survival disparities.