Resection for advanced cancer of the thoracic esophagus: cervical or thoracic anastomosis? Late results of a prospective randomized study.

During a 2 1/2-year period, 60 consecutive patients with cancer of the thoracic esophagus were randomized to undergo a cervical or thoracic anastomosis. The tumors were staged postoperatively (stage I, n = 2; stage II, n = 19; stage III, n = 9; and stage IV, n = 30) and were almost equally distributed between the two groups. The upper limit of three tumors was above the convexity of the aortic arch. The esophageal specimens were studied with regard to measurements of the tumor and of the resected esophagus. The microscopic aspects were evaluated by serial sections after vital staining. The prevalence of ignored plurifocal cancers, of submucosal infiltrations, and of distant areas of dysplasia in both groups was confirmed. Malignant invasions of esophageal sections were more frequent in patients undergoing thoracic anastomosis (10 versus 3), and diseased upper mediastinal lymph nodes were more frequent in those undergoing cervical anastomosis (17 versus 7). Mortality was equally divided between the two groups. Respiratory complications and recurrent laryngeal trauma were more frequent in patients having cervical anastomosis. Long-term survivors had stage N0 disease, with a healthy esophageal section. Even though subtotal esophagectomy reduces the prevalence of microscopic esophageal wall invasion above the tumor and allows more complete unilateral exploration and resection of invaded lymph nodes, it offers no significant benefit concerning survival of patients with advanced cancer and malignant lymphadenopathy.

[Esophagectomy for advanced malpighian cancer of the thoracic esophagus. Esogastric anastomosis in the neck or in the thorax? Late results of a "randomized" prospective study]. / Oesophagectomie pour cancer malpighien évolué de l'oesophage thoracique. Anastomose oeso-gastrique au cou ou dans le thorax? Résultats tardifs d'une étude prospective "randomisée".

During a 2 1/2 year period, 60 consecutive patients with cancer of the thoracic esophagus were randomized to undergo cervical (CA) or thoracic (TA) esophago-gastrostomy. The tumors were staged post-operatively and were almost equally distributed between the two groups. The esophageal specimens were macroscopically studied on the fresh specimens with vital staining, then microscopically. The prevalence of peri-tumoral mucosal and sub-mucosal lesions was confirmed. Microscopic malignant invasions of esophageal sections were more frequent in TA (10) than in CA (3). Resected positive lymph nodes were more numerous in CA (17) than in TA (7). The mortality was identical in the two groups. Respiratory complications and recurrent laryngeal nerve trauma were more frequent in CA. Long-term survivors had N0 disease with a healthy esophageal section. Even though subtotal esophagectomy reduces the prevalence of microscopic esophageal wall invasion at the upper section level and allows more complete unilateral exploration and resection of invaded lymph nodes, it offers no significant benefit concerning survival of patients with advanced cancer and malignant lymphadenopathy, after resection with post-operative radiotherapy.

[Cervico-mediastinal inflammatory pseudotumors due to esophageal perforation by foreign bodies]. / Pseudo-tumeurs inflammatoires cervico-médiastinales dues à une perforation oesophagienne par corps étranger.

Two patients suffered from superior mediastinal masses producing pain and dysphagia. They were investigated using imagery and endoscopy without a definite diagnosis being made. It was finally decided to perform a cervical exploration in both cases and this enabled a diagnosis of perforation of the oesophagus and pseudo-tumoral abscess to be made. The foreign body responsible was found in one case. The symptoms and signs of oesophageal perforation by foreign body may be misleading when they are chronic or delayed. There remains a place for surgical exploration when other methods have failed.