Objective To evaluate the prognostic factors of tracheoesophageal groove lymph node(TEGLN) metastasis in postoperative esophageal carcinoma.Methods From January 1996 to December 1997,101 postoperative cervical and thoracic esophageal carcinoma patients proved absence from tracheoesophageal groove lymph node(TEGLN) metastasis before and after operation by physical examination and computer tomography examination were entered into this study.The patients were divided into three groups according to the treatment of supraclavicular region: no prophylactic radiotherapy(group A-,30 patients);prophylactic radiotherapy with local dose