Mapping lymph node metastases in T1-2 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma offers insights that could enhance surgical strategies.

• High-risk stations 2, 7, 8, 16, and 17 show metastasis rates of 6.47% to 11.37%, significantly impacting prognosis.
• Patients with high-risk metastasis have a nearly double risk of poor outcomes (hazard ratio 1.986, p < .001).

Identifying these nodes allows for a more tailored lymphadenectomy approach, potentially improving survival rates.

• Independent risk factors include BMI, tumor differentiation, size, and location.