Systematic review and meta-analysis of the accuracy of 18F-FDG PET/CT for detection of regional lymph node metastasis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, a highly aggressive malignant cancer that ranks sixth in cancer mortality and third in morbidity worldwide, is the most common type of esophageal cancer in China; it accounts for more than 90% of cases, while esophageal adenocarcinoma has a high incidence in Western countries (1). The majority of esophageal cancer patients are diagnosed with advanced disease due to unclear early symptoms. Lymph node metastasis is the main form of esophageal cancer metastasis. N staging determines the target volume of radiotherapy and the necessary extent of lymph node dissection in the resection of esophageal cancer and is related to the local control rate, recurrence and overall survival (OS)