An Evaluation of the Efficacy of Preoperative Therapy for Thoracic Esophageal Carcinoma Using Endoscopic Ultrasonography

Abstract

Abstract: We performed endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) to assess the therapeutic efficacy of thoracic esophageal carcinoma treatment and compared this assessment with that of histology. The subjects were 43 patients who underwent surgical resection following preoperative chemotherapy for advanced thoracic esophageal carcinoma. The region of maximal thickness and the cross‐sectional area of the tumor were measured, and the percent reduction was taken to be the degree of reduction. Total assessment of metastatic lymph nodes was made on the basis of the degree of reduction in the major axis and cross‐sectional area, and the three elements of morphology, border echo and inner echo. The histological findings were classified into Grades 0 through 3 according to criteria for the management of esophageal carcinoma and compared with the EUS findings. The reduction in tumor thickness was 30% or less in 16 patients, 14 (87.5%) of whom had Grades of 0 to 1. The degree of reduction was greater than 50% in 17 patients, 15 (88.2%) of whom had Grades 2 to 3. The degree of reduction was 60% or greater in eight patients, six (75%) of whom had a Grade of 3. Reduction in the cross‐sectional area was less than 50% in 19 patients, 16 (84.2%) of whom had Grades of 0 to 1. Of the 19, all who showed a reduction of 30% or less had Grades of 0 to 1. The reduction in cross‐sectional area was greater than 50% in 24 patients, 20 (83.3%) of whom had Grades of 2 to 3. A significant difference was noted in the correlation between reduction in thickness and histological assessment between Grades 0 to 1 and Grade 2 (p<0.01) and between of Grades 2 and 3 (p<0.02). The correlation between reduction in cross‐sectional area and histological assessment was similar to that for reduction in thickness. None of the methods produced satisfactory results in relation to assessment of metastatic lymph nodes. Assessment of accuracy by down‐staging did not prove useful.