Esophagectomy In Esophageal Cancer Patients Research Articles

Surveillance versus esophagectomy in esophageal cancer patients with a clinical complete response after induction chemoradiation.

There currently exists an area of controversy in treatment of esophageal cancer for patients who have an apparent clinical complete response (cCR) after induction chemoradiation. A standard treatment is to offer these patients an esophagectomy, but increasingly there is interest from both the patient and provider for active surveillance with so-called "salvage" esophagectomies for local recurrence as an alternative treatment paradigm. In this article, we review the existing evidence that stakeholders should consider for clinical decision-making in this specific patient population, including: the accuracy of post-induction clinical restaging, the reliability of operative risk assessment, the feasibility and adherence to surveillance strategies, and the observed outcomes in these patients after salvage esophagectomy or continued active surveillance. We also briefly discuss quality of life and future directions for this field.

Prognosis Prediction for Postoperative Esophageal Cancer Patients Using Onodera's Prognostic Nutritional Index

ABSTRACTPurpose: Preoperative nutritional status may impact surgical outcome and prognosis. We evaluated the predictive value of Onodera's prognostic nutritional index (O's-PNI) of surgical outcome following esophagectomy in esophageal cancer patients. Patients and methods: In total, 144 patients undergoing esophagectomy for esophageal cancer from April 2010 to May 2015 were evaluated, retrospectively. Eighty-four patients were enrolled in this study. O's-PNIs were calculated before surgery, discharge, and 1, 2, and 6 mo after discharge. The relationship between O's-PNI and occurrence of complications as classified by the Clavien–Dindo (C–D) classification, length of hospital stay, and survival time was investigated. Results: The mean O's-PNI for patients with complications of more than Grade 2 by the C–D classification was 37.4, which was significantly lower than that for Grades 0 or 1 (40.5, P = 0.0094). A negative correlation was obtained between O's-PNI and hospital stay length (P = 0.0006), whereas a positive correlation was obtained for O's-PNI at 6 mo postsurgery and overall survival (P = 0.0171, P = 0.0201). Conclusion: O's-PNI may represent a useful indicator of the occurrence of complications and length of hospital stay, and may influence overall survival at 6 mo postsurgery. Nutritional management during the perioperative period could therefore contribute to satisfactory outcomes following esophagectomy in esophageal cancer patients.

Positive radial resection margin after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer patients treated at a tertiary center and its impact on survival.

162 Background: Although residual tumor at the radial margin can be expected to have a significant impact on the recurrence or overall survival of patient with node negative esophageal cancer (EC), its impact on recurrence and overall survival of patients with node positive EC has not been well characterized. Methods: A retrospective review of patients who underwent esophagectomy for EC at a single institution over a 16 year period (1999-2015) was performed. Pre-operative clinical parameters, stage as well as oncologic management were reviewed as well as the impact of positive radial margin on overall survival of pre-treatment node positive tumors was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: The study group consisted of 437 patients (46%) with pre-treatment stage IIB or III out of 945 patients with EC undergoing esophagectomy. The mean age of patients was 63 years with male predominance (85%). Neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) was administered to 87% of patients. Trans-thoracic surgery was performed in 86% of patients and trans-hiatal in 14%. Positive radial margin on final pathology was identified in 14 patients (3.2%); none of these had squamous histology. Neither the surgical approach nor the use of NAT was associated with radial margin positivity (p = 0.6). The median overall survival was significantly lower in the patients with positive radial margin when compared to the rest of the cohort (13.6 months v/s 41.2 months, p = 0.004). Moreover, when focused only on patients with post treatment pathologic T3 and T4 disease, margin positive disease remained associated with worse survival (p = 0.04). However, when final N status is included in multivariate analysis margin positivity loses significance. Conclusions: Radial margin positive disease after surgical resection for EC is associated with worse overall survival. This finding was significant regardless of the pathologic T stage; however, pathologic nodal staging was the most important factor for prognostication in locally advanced EC. Adenocarcinoma is the predominant pathology identified in patients with positive radial margin and concurrent node positivity.

Calcification of arteries supplying the gastric tube increases the risk of anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy with cervical anastomosis.

Anastomotic leak is an important cause of morbidity and mortality after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer patients. Calcification of the arteries supplying the gastric tube has been found to be associated with leakage after esophagectomy with cervical anastomosis in Europeans. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association between calcifications of the supplying arteries of the gastric tube and the occurrence of anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy with cervical anastomosis in Chinese patients with esophageal cancer. The demographic, clinical, and pathological features as well as the vascular calcification of arteries of 709 esophageal cancer patients who had undergone esophagectomies with cervical anastomosis were analyzed. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify the association between the postoperative anastomotic leakage and calcifications of the arteries supplying the gastric tube. Among the 709 patients, 122 (17.2%) had developed anastomotic leakage. Thirty-day mortality and length of hospital stay were higher for patients with anastomotic leakage. Upper digestive tract ulcer, peripheral vascular disease, renal insufficiency, American society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) risk class, and calcifications of aorta and celiac axis were found to be independent risk factors for the anastomotic leakage. Calcification of the aorta and celiac axis that supply the gastric tube is an independent risk factor for cervical anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy in Chinese esophageal cancer patients.

Reconstruction after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer patients with a history of gastrectomy.

Pedicled jejunal flap and colon graft interposition are choices for esophageal reconstruction in patients with a history of gastrectomy or those who have undergone synchronous esophagogastrectomy. However, the optimal conduit in this situation is still being debated. We reviewed the literature concerning esophageal reconstruction using a conduit other than the stomach. Approximately 10% of esophagectomized patients undergo esophageal reconstruction using pedicled jejunum or colon interposition in Japan. The jejunal graft and colon graft are selected evenly, although the percentage of jejunal graft use is gradually increasing. Microvascular supercharge was performed in most of the reports of pedicled jejunal graft reconstruction, whereas vascular enhancement was not popularly used in the reports of colon graft interposition. Although the incidences of graft loss and anastomotic leakage were comparable between grafts, mortality rates seem to be higher in patients who undergo colon graft reconstruction than in those who undergo reconstruction with a jejunal graft. Prospective comparisons of short-term outcomes as well as long-term quality of life are needed to identify the best method of reconstruction.

Association between Postoperatively Developed Atrial Fibrillation and Long-Term Mortality after Esophagectomy in Esophageal Cancer Patients: An Observational Study.

BackgroundNewly developed atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients who have undergone an esophagectomy increases the incidence of postoperative complications. However, the clinical implications of AF have not been fully elucidated in these patients. This retrospective observational study investigated the predictors for AF and the effect of AF on the mortality in esophageal cancer patients undergoing esophagectomy.MethodsThis study evaluated 583 patients undergoing esophagectomy, from January 2005 to April 2012. AF was defined as newly developed postoperative AF requiring treatment. The risk factors for AF and the association between AF and mortality were evaluated. The long-term mortality was the all-cause mortality, for which the cutoff date was May 31, 2014.ResultsAF developed in 63 patients (10.8%). Advanced age (odds ratio [OR] 1.099, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.056–1.144, P < 0.001), preoperative calcium channel blocker (CCB) (OR 2.339, 95% CI 1.143–4.786, P = 0.020), and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) (OR 0.206, 95% CI 0.067–0.635, P = 0.006) were associated with the incidence of AF. The Kaplan-Meier curve showed a significantly lower survival rate in the AF group compared to the non-AF group (P = 0.045), during a median follow-up of 50.7 months. The multivariable analysis revealed associations between AF and the 1-year mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 2.556, 95% CI 1.430–4.570, P = 0.002) and between AF and the long-term mortality (HR 1.507, 95% CI 1.003–2.266, P = 0.049).ConclusionsIn esophageal cancer patients, the advanced age and the preoperative medications (CCB, ACEI or ARB) were associated with the incidence of AF. Furthermore, postoperatively developed AF was associated with mortality in esophageal cancer patients after esophagectomy, suggesting that a close surveillance might be required in patients who showed AF during postoperative period.

Longitudinal analysis of cytokine expression during neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and subsequent surgery in esophageal cancer patients

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to provide more insight in the course of cytokine concentrations related to pathologic response (pR) and complications after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) and esophagectomy in esophageal cancer patients. MethodsPatients treated with NCRT followed by transthoracic esophagectomy (n = 35) or transthoracic esophagectomy alone (n = 8) were included. Eight different cytokine concentrations were determined during NCRT, esophagectomy, and the first postoperative week. ResultsPlatelet-activating factor before NCRT was associated with pR (P = .011) and remained elevated in patients with a better response. Concentrations of intestinal fatty acid–binding protein and angiopoietin 1 (Ang-1) were different between patients with and without NCRT. Decreased concentrations of Ang-1 on the third postoperative day were associated with postoperative complications (P = .046). ConclusionsIn this observational study, elevated platelet-activating factor concentrations before NCRT were associated with pR. NCRT is associated with decreased Ang-1 concentrations, whereas reduced Ang-1 concentrations were associated with postoperative complications.

Current status of laparoscopic transhiatal esophagectomy for esophageal cancer patients: a systematic review of the literature.

Minimally invasive techniques in transhiatal esophagectomy (THE) were introduced to reduce morbidity and enhance postoperative recovery. Aim of this study was to systematically review the current status and possible beneficial effects of the minimally invasive approach in THE. A systematic search was performed in PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Embase to identify English articles published on laparoscopic THE. Comparative cohort studies were included for critical appraisal. Data describing perioperative and oncological outcomes were analyzed. A total of four comparative cohort studies that compared laparoscopic THE (n = 122) with open THE (n = 144) and four noncomparative cohort studies reporting on laparoscopic THE (n = 212) were included in this review. Median blood loss was significantly lower in the laparoscopic group in all studies (100-500 vs. 526-900mL). Length of hospital stay was also significantly shorter for the laparoscopic approach in all studies (9-13 vs. 12-16days). One study reported less major postoperative complications after laparoscopic THE (12 vs. 23%), in the other studies no differences were found. Also no differences were found with regard to operating time, postoperative morbidity, radicality, and lymph node retrieval. Based on these pioneer studies, laparoscopic THE was demonstrated to be safe and feasible with evidence of reduced blood loss and shorter hospital stays. However, level 1 evidence is lacking and further research is warranted to confirm these findings and also to evaluate long-term oncologic outcomes.

Predictors of Survival in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma with Pathologic Major Response after Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation Therapy and Surgery: The Impact of Chemotherapy Protocols.

Tumor recurrence is an important problem threatening esophageal cancer patients after surgery, even when they achieve a pathologic major response (pMR) after neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT). The predictors related to overall survival and disease progression for these patients remain elusive. We aimed to identify factors that predict disease progression and overall survival in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) patients who achieve a pMR after neoadjuvant CCRT followed by surgery. We conducted a retrospective study to analyze the factors influencing survival and disease progression after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer patients who had a major response to CCRT, which is defined by complete pathological response or microscopic residual disease without lymph node metastasis. From our study cohort, 285 patients underwent CCRT and subsequent esophagectomy; 171 (60%) of these patients achieved pMR. After excluding patients with lymph node metastases, incomplete clinical data, and adenocarcinomas, we enrolled 117 patients in this study. We found that the CCRT regimen was the only factor that influenced overall survival. The overall survival of the patients receiving taxane-incorporated CCRT was superior to that of patients receiving traditional cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (PF) (P = 0.011). The CCRT regimen can significantly influence the clinical outcome of esophageal SCC patients who achieve pMR after neoadjuvant CCRT and esophagectomy. Incorporation of taxanes into cisplatin-based CCRT may be associated with prolonged survival.

Clinical analysis of acute lung injury after esophagectomy

Acute lung injury (ALI) is one of the most severe postoperative complications after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer patients. In order to clarify the mechanism of ALI, we, therefore, studied the operative course of a group of patients who underwent elective esophagectomy. We retrospectively analyzed 75 patients underwent an esophagectomy and reconstruction for thoracic esophageal cancer. No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding their clinical backgrounds, such as their age, smoking index, preoperative pulmonary function, the location of the main tumor, and the tumor nodes metastasis stage. Operative time is thus considered to be a significant factor. The odds ratio (OR) of ALI in cases whose preoperative pulmonary function was 6.70 in comparison to the abnormal preoperative pulmonary functions. The OR for more intraoperative bleeding (>1000 g) was 0.83, compared with a lesser intraoperative bleeding although the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.076). Anastomotic leakage occurred in four patients (44%) in Group I while it only occurred in two patient (6%) among the 33 Group II patients (P = 0.011). Greater surgical stress, such as a longer operative time, is thus considered to be associated with the first attack of ALI. The adverse events developing in the extrathoracic site, such as necrosis and local infection around anastomosis may, therefore, be the second attack. Furthermore, ALI may cause not only systemic inflammatory response syndrome but also other complications such as anastomotic leakage.

Exposure to an atomic bomb explosion is a risk factor for in-hospital death after esophagectomy to treat esophageal cancer

Esophagectomy, one of the most invasive of all gastrointestinal operations, is associated with a high frequency of postoperative complications and in-hospital mortality. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether exposure to the atomic bomb explosion at Hiroshima in 1945 might be a preoperative risk factor for in-hospital mortality after esophagectomy in esophageal cancer patients. We thus reviewed the outcomes of esophagectomy in 31 atomic bomb survivors with esophageal cancer and 96 controls (also with cancer but without atomic bomb exposure). We compared the incidences of postoperative complications and in-hospital mortality. Of the clinicopathological features studied, mean patient age was significantly higher in atomic bomb survivors than in controls. Of the postoperative complications noted, atomic bomb survivors experienced a longer mean period of endotracheal intubation and higher incidences of severe pulmonary complications, severe anastomotic leakage, and surgical site infection. The factors associated with in-hospital mortality were exposure to the atomic bomb explosion, pulmonary comorbidities, and electrocardiographic abnormalities. Multivariate analysis revealed that exposure to the atomic bomb explosion was an independent significant preoperative risk factor for in-hospital mortality. Exposure to the atomic bomb explosion is thus a preoperative risk factor for in-hospital death after esophagectomy to treat esophageal cancer.

Comparison of two neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy regimens in patients with potentially curable esophageal carcinoma

The implementation of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in esophageal cancer (EC) patients has led to improved survival rates. Worldwide, different CRT regimens are applied. It is unknown how these regimens relate to each other regarding efficacy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the preferred regimen regarding toxicity of, response to CRT, and long-term survival after esophagectomy in EC patients. EC patients in two centers who underwent CRT with different regimens prior to surgery were included in this study. CRT consisted of 50.4Gy combined with two cycles of cisplatin and 5-FU(center A), or 41.4Gy combined with five cycles of carboplatin and paclitaxel (center B). Toxicity, response to therapy and long-term survival were compared between groups. One hundred sisty-five patients were included. Forty-one percent of patients in center A developed ≥1 toxicity ≥ grade 3 versus 25% in center B (P = 0.025). CRT with a cisplatin-based regimen was an independent predictor for development of toxicity ≥ grade 3 (P = 0.043). There were no differences in response between both regimens (P = 0.904). Three-year survival was 61% (A) versus 57% (B) (P = 0.725). The carboplatin/paclitaxel/41.4Gy regimen causes less toxicity compared to the cisplatin/5-FU/50.4Gy regimen with nonsignificant differences in response rates and long-term survival; therefore our results support this regimen to be the preferred regimen for EC patients.

A Cost and Benefit Study of Esophagectomy for Patients with Esophageal Cancer

IntroductionThe incidence of esophageal cancer is increasing all over the world but the cost-and-benefit of esophagectomy for esophageal cancer patients was rarely studied. The aim of this study is to compare the cost-and-benefit of esophagectomy in different stages of esophageal cancer. Materials and MethodsClinical and utilization data, including medical expenses and reason for treatment, of esophageal cancer patients were collected, summed and followed up for 5 years. The patients were divided into two groups according to their treatments, with or without esophagectomy. The monthly medical expense and relative expense performance index (REPI) were then calculated. Factors influenced total and monthly medical expense and survival time were further analyzed. ResultsA total of 310 esophageal cancer patients, 281 male and mean age of 64.3, were included in this study. One hundred forty-nine patients had undergone esophagectomy. The 5-year survival rate, total and monthly medical expense for two groups was 36.0% and 10.2% (p<0.001), USD $22,532.8 vs. 12,256.4 (p<0.001) and USD $2,101.65 vs. 2,033.94 (p=0.831), respectively. The REPIs in four different stages were 7.573, 2.422, 2.446 and 0.705. Both esophagectomy and tumor stage were the sole factors that could influence total and monthly medical expense respectively. Both esophagectomy and tumor stage could influence a patient’s survival time. ConclusionsEsophagectomy has better performance than non-esophagectomy for patients with stages I to III esophageal cancer. Therefore, adding economical considerations, esophagectomy is recommended for patients, at least earlier than stage III.

Clinical application of exclusive right-thoracic approach in surgery with or without laparotomy for mid-upper esophageal cancer

To evaluate the clinical application of a right-thoracic approach with or without laparotomy for mid-upper esophageal cancer. We retrospectively reviewed the data of 34 esophageal cancer patients who received Belsey surgery or a modified Ivor-Lewis surgery from November 1992 to April 2007. Twenty of the patients underwent a Belsey prodecdure (Group A) from November 1992 to January 2001 and 14 underwent a modified Ivor-Lewis prodecdure (Group B) from May 2001 to April 2007. Twenty patients with esophageal cancer received an esophagectomy through an exclusive right-thoracic approach (Belsey surgery), and 14 patients received an esophagectomy through a right-thoracic approach combined with a laparotomy (modified Ivor-Lewis surgery). The complication rate was 15% (3/20) and 7.1% (1/14) respectively. The survival rate was 42.9% (5-year survival) and 38.7% (5-year survival) respectively for these two groups. An exclusive right-thoracic approach (Belsey surgery) is associated with more complications. It is not a routine surgery for cancer of the mid-upper thorax of the esophagus, but can be selectively used as palliative esophagectomy for esophageal cancer patients with poor pulmonary function. Modified Ivor-Lewis surgery can simultaneously be utilized to resect the primary tumor and dissect lymph nodes of the thorax and abdomen. With a shorter time period of surgery and postoperative recovery period, modified Ivor-Lewis surgery can achieve better effects with patients who have mid-upper esophagus cancer.

Is it safe to perform esophagectomy in esophageal cancer patients combined with liver cirrhosis?

Patients with liver cirrhosis undergoing gastrointestinal surgery still suffer from high operative morbid-mortality despite advancements in surgical critical care. The objective of this study is to see if this same relationship applies to patients undergoing esophagectomy for cancer. From 1993 to 2003, sixteen esophageal cancer patients with liver cirrhosis were operated on. They were all male with a mean age of 51.5 years. According to the Child-Pugh classification, 10 patients were Child 'A', 4 patients Child 'B' and Child 'C' in 2 patients. The surgical procedure was through an Ivor-Lewis esophagogastrectomy with intra-thoracic anastomosis. Major morbidity included: 4 respiratory failure, 2 acute renal failure, 3 pneumonia, and one in each of the patients with gastrointestinal bleeding and hepatic failure. The mean follow up among the survivors was 19.1 months. The hospital mortality was 25% (4/16). Using the rate according to Child classification, the mortality rates were: A: 1/10 (10%), B: 2/4 (50%) and C: 2/2 (100%). We conclude that patients with liver cirrhosis in Child-Pugh A could tolerate esophagectomy with an acceptable risk. However, patients with a more advanced state of liver dysfunction are at higher risk for esophagogastrectomy. Careful patient selection and meticulous peri-operative care is warranted in those embarking on surgical resection.