Abstract
Background
Disease recurrence remains high following oesophagectomy for oesophageal and junctional adenocarcinoma in spite of the incremental gains from improved neoadjuvant treatment (NAT). Follow-up remains important for the detection and treatment of recurrence, although the optimum surveillance strategy remains undefined. Recurrence after treatment can occur locoregionally, distantly, or a combination of both. This retrospective review of a single, high-volume centre’s 10-year experience has sought to determine the pattern of recurrence in those who have received curative NAT followed by two-stage subtotal oesophagectomy (2S-STO) for oesophageal and junctional adenocarcinoma.
Methods
A retrospective analysis was performed on a cohort of patients from a high-volume, single centre between January 2009 and January 2019 who had confirmed disease recurrence after receiving NAT and 2S-STO for either oesophageal or junctional (Siewert I/II) adenocarcinoma. The Unit’s prospectively collected cancer database was utilised as well as patients’ notes to determine the pattern of recurrence seen in this cohort. Patients receiving a three-stage or transhiatal oesophagectomy for any cause, or those diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma were excluded.
Results
215 patients were identified with recurrence following NAT and 2S-STO for oesophageal/junctional adenocarcinoma within the 10-year period. The median age was 69 (range 23-85) with 67% being male and 33% female. The median time to diagnosis of recurrence was 13 months following surgery. 87 (40%) patients were diagnosed with locoregional recurrence, with the commonest pattern being in mediastinal or abdominal lymph nodes, followed by peritoneal disease. 62 (29%) patients were diagnosed with distant recurrence, with the vast majority being in the liver or lungs. 66 (31%) patients had evidence of both locoregional and distant spread at diagnosis of recurrence.
Conclusions
The incidence of recurrence following curative treatment for oesophageal and junctional adenocarcinoma remains high. Locoregional disease appears to be the commonest pattern of recurrence as identified in this study, which would confirm spread predominates via the lymphatic and transcoelomic routes. Liver and lung remain the commonest sites for haematogenous spread, although other sites include adrenal, brain and bone. Although the optimum follow-up strategy remains undefined in such patients, timely investigation of symptoms is required for early diagnosis so as to optimise the benefits of palliative treatment.