Background/Aims: To analyze the metastatic characteristics of lymph nodes in thoracic esophageal carcinoma and cancer of the gastric cardia, and to explore the factors influencing lymph node metastasis. Methodology: A retrospective analysis of the treatment of 37 patients who received surgical treatment for thoracic esophageal and gastric cardia cancers from January 2010 to January 2012 was carried out Results: Lymph node metastasis in patients with thoracic esophageal carcinoma was frequently found on the superior mediastinum, hilum of the lung, and inferior extremity of the carina. Metastasis in patients with cancer of the gastric cardia occurred mainly in the abdominal cavity and peripheral gastric cardia. A single factor analysis showed that a tumor infiltrating full-thickness, >5 cm in length, and with a low degree of cell differentiation affected lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05). The degree of differentiation, length, and infiltrating depth of the tumor were independent factors affecting lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Lymph node metastasis in patients with cancers of the esophagus and gastric cardia exhibits special characteristics. The cleaning scope should be assessed according to the actual situation, including the degree of tumor differentiation, lesion length, and infiltration depth.