Prophylaxis of complications in operations for cancer of middle and lower thirds of the esophagus

Objective. Improvement of the surgical treatment results in esophageal cancer. Маterials and methods. Results of surgical treatment of 43 patients, having cancer of middle and lower thirds of the esophagus, were analyzed. Lewis operation was performed in 38 patients, and Garlock operation – in 5. Circular suture stapler with second row of a П-like manual sutures was applied in 28 patients. In 15 patients anastomosis was formatted, using hand-sewn two-row suture. The method of anastomosing choice had depended upon local and general factors: the tumor localization, the esophageal wall changes in anastomotic site, degree of the water-electrolyte disorders, the protein balance, concurrent pathology. Prophylaxis of postoperative morbidity consisted of preoperative correction of laboratory indices, treatment of concurrent pathology, choice of the anastomosis formation method, postoperative intensive therapy. Results. Postoperative complications had occurred in 1 (2.3%) patient. Mostly frequent postoperative complication after resection for esophageal cancer constitute insufficiency of esophago-gastric anastomosis, which occurs under impact of general and local factors. General factors: disorders of the blood circulation, caused by cardiac insufficiency, hypoxia due to pulmonary insufficiency, coagulopathy, disorders of the protein and water-electrolyte metabolism. Reduction of influence of general factors on the postoperative morbidity occurrence was achieved using the intensive preoperative preparation conduction. Conclusion. The postoperative morbidity prevention turns effective while its accomplishment on all stages of treatment: during preoperative preparation, intraoperatively and postoperatively.

Importance of long-term surveillance after curative esophagectomy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Summary Background The long-term outcomes after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer remain uncertain and the optimal surveillance strategy after curative surgery remains controversial. Methods In this study, the clinicopathological characteristics of patients who underwent curative thoracic esophagectomy between 1991 and 2015 at Toranomon Hospital were retrospectively analyzed and reviewed until December 2020. We evaluated the accumulated data regarding the pattern and rates of recurrence and second malignancy. Results A total of 1054 patients were eligible for inclusion in the study. Of these, 97% were followed up for 5 years, and the outcomes after 25 years could be determined in 65.5%. Recurrence was diagnosed in 318 patients (30.2%), and the most common pattern was lymph node metastasis (n = 168, 52.8%). Recurrence was diagnosed within 1 year in 174 patients (54.7%) and within 3 years in 289 (90.9%). Second malignancy possibly occurred through the entire study period after esophagectomy even in early-stage cancer, keeping 2%–5% of the incidental risk. There was no significant difference in the prognosis between 3-year survivors with and without a second malignancy. Conclusions Most recurrences after resection of esophageal cancer occurred within 3 years regardless of disease stage. However, these patients have an ongoing risk of developing a second malignancy after esophagectomy. Further consideration is required regarding the efficacy of long-term surveillance.

Modern Management of Esophageal Cancer: Radio-Oncology in Neoadjuvancy, Adjuvancy and Palliation

The modern management of esophageal cancer is crucially based on a multidisciplinary and multimodal approach. Radiotherapy is involved in neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings; moreover, it includes radical and palliative treatment intention (with a focus on the use of a stent and its potential integration with radiotherapy). In this review, the above-mentioned settings and approaches will be described. Referring to available international guidelines, the background evidence bases will be reviewed, and the ongoing, more relevant trials will be outlined. Target definitions and radiotherapy doses to administer will be mentioned. Peculiar applications such as brachytherapy (interventional radiation oncology), and data regarding innovative approaches including MRI-guided-RT and radiomic analysis will be reported. A focus on the avoidance of surgery for major clinical responses (particularly for SCC) is detailed.