Erratum: High Body Mass Index Worsens Survival in Patients with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma after Esophagectomy

<b><i>Aims:</i></b> To investigate the prognostic significance of body mass index (BMI) on the survival of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after esophagectomy. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Between 2005 and 2008, 291 patients with ESCC who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. The BMI cut-off values were as follows: 18.5-23 kg/m² for normal weight; 23-27.5 kg/m² for overweight; and ≥27.5 kg/m² for those with obesity. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors for long-term survival. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Patients were divided into 3 groups: normal weight (<i>n</i> = 138), overweight (<i>n</i> = 103), and obese (<i>n</i> = 50). The median survival time was 56 months. The 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 40.8, 44.7, and 20.8% for normal weight, overweight, and obese patients respectively (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). Multivariate analysis identified BMI as an independent prognostic factor for OS (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). For 179 patients without lymph node metastasis, the 5-year OS rates were 46.5, 50.7, and 27.0% for normal weight, overweight, and obese patients respectively (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> A BMI ≥27.5 kg/m² has a distinctly adverse impact on the long-term survival of ESCC patients after esophagectomy. High BMI is a potential predictor of worse prognosis in ESCC patients, particularly in patients without lymph node metastasis.