ObjectiveTo explore the differences and similarities of the featurs of lymph node metatasis of abdominal esophageal carcinoma and cardiac cancer. MethodsPreoperative CT images of abdominal esophageal carcinomas and cardiac cancers were reviewed and analysed on lymph node size and preponderant distribution. ResultsShort diameter ≥10 mm of lymph node at CT was adopted as metastasis criterion. The detection rates of abdominal esophageal carcinomas and cardiac cancers were 73.5%（144/196） and 83.7% （170/203）, respectively. Thoracic lymph node metastasis rate of abdominal esophageal carcinomas was 11.1% （4/36） in 7 area, 27.8% （10/36） in 8 area, 8.3% （3/36） in 9 area, while celiac lymph node metastasis rate was 36.1% (13/36 ） in No.7 group, 19.4% （7/36） in No.1 group, and 11.1% （4/36） in No.2 group primarily. Lymph node metastasis rate of cardiac cancers was 17.9% （5/28） in No.1 group, 28.6% （8/28） in No.2 group, 39.3% （11/28 ） in No.3 group, and 25.0% （7/28） in No.4 group for the first stop lymph nodes, and 35.7% （10/28 ） in No.7 group for the second stop primarily. ConclusionAs metastasis criterion, short diameter ≥10 mm of lymph node at CT is feasible, but there exist certain falsepositive rate. Thoracic lymph node metastasis of abdominal esophageal carcinomas is mainly in the 7, 8, and 9 area, while celiac metastasis is mainly in No.7, No.1, and No.2 groups. Lymph node metastasis of cardiac cancers is in No.1, No.2, No.3, No.4, and No.7 group primarily.