Objective: To evaluate the clinicopathologic value of means of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) which could be used to detect micrometastases in regional lymph nodes(LNs) of patients with esophageal sequamous carcinoma (ESC). Methods: The regional LNs( n =104) were obtained from 23 ESC patients who underwent operation. Each LN was cut into halves. One half of each LN was subjected to histological examination (HE). The other half was subjected to CK19RT-PCR.The correlative relationship of results of metastases in regional LNs and common clinicopathological parameters were analyzed statisticly. Results: Among 23 patients analyzed in this study

histological examination was done on each LN

and it revealed metastases in LNs of 10 patients. At the same time these results were confirmed by CK19RT-PCR.Of the 13 patients who were diagnosed to be devoid of metastases by HE，five patients were found to exist micrometastases in regional LNs.The detective rate of metastases in regional LNs was evaluated from 43.5% by HE to 65.2% by CK19RT-PCR.As far as the results of metastases in regional LNs in 23 ESC patients by CK19RT-PCR were concerned

the presence of micrometastases in LNs was associated with grade (P =0.035

exact test) as well as pTNM stage (P =0.024

exact test). Conclusion:The assay of RT-PCR which is used to detect micrometastases in regional LNs of ESC patients is helpful for disclosing the inherent metastatic role of this disease.