Long-Term Resultof Surgical Treatmentfor Esophageal Cancer / 대한흉부외과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: From 1987 to 1997, a total of 500 patients underwent surgery for esophageal cancer in our department. To determine the lon g-term results, recurrence patterns and prognostic factors, we reviewed the 11 y ears experiences. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Double pr imary tumors, cancers of the pharyngoesophageal and esophagogastric junction, pa lliative bypass surgery or esophageal prosthesis and exploration only were exclu ded in this study. Resection was usually performed through right thoracotomy(Ivo r Lewis operation) and anastomosis was made with staplers. Extended lymph node d issection was performed from August 1994 but not before. The stomach was used as a substitute for the esophagus in 96.8%. All reconstruction was done through po steromediastinal route except cervical reconstruction. RESULT: 474(94.8%) had confirm ed squamous cell carcinoma. Most(58.2%) of the tumors were located in the middle third of the esophagus, 47.4% of patients had operative pathologic stage III di sease, and 25% had stage IIA disease. Of the resections, 392 were classified as curative and 74 palliative, blunt dissection(transhiatal esophagectomy) and jeju nal free graft(34) were excluded in these classifications. The overall morbidity rate was 38.4%. The operative mortality rate was 5.8%, mainly due to respirator y complications and anastomosis leakages. The follow-up rate of these patients w as 99.8%. Overall actuarial 1, 2, and 5-year survival rates were 63.5%, 38.9%, a nd 19.4% including operative mortality. In standard lymph node dissection group, the actuarial 1, 2, and 5-year survival rates were 60.7%, 35.9%, and 16.9%(oper ative mortality rate 4.3%), but in extended lymph node dissection group, the ac tuarial 1, 2, and 4-year survival rates were 70.2%, 46.5% and 30.9%(operative mo rtality rate 6.5%), respectively. In curative resection group, the actuarial 1, 2, and 5-year survival rates were 69.4%, 43.9%, and 21.9%, but in palliative re section group, these were 37.8%, 17.6%, and 7.3%, respectively. The 4-year survi val rate was 35.6% in curative resection with extended lymph node dissection gro up. Postoperative recurrence was found in 226 patients. Site of recurrence were mainly lymph nodes(69%; neck, paratracheal and abdominal) and other systemic rec urrence was detected at liver, lung, bone, brain etc. CONCLUSION: We think that cura tive resection with extensive lymph node dissection is necessary for long term s urvival, but adequate postoperative care is a prerequisite. In advanced esophage al cancer, more effective multimodal adjuvant regimens remain to be established.