The clinical target volume (CTV) for postoperative radiotherapy for thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (TESCC) needs to be defined. The study aim was to map metastatic lymph nodes (LNMs) in a computed tomography (CT)-based atlas and delineate the postoperative radiotherapy target area. | Mapping patterns of metastatic lymph nodes for postoperative radiotherapy in thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma A recommendation for clinical target volume definition