Manson Fok

Preoperative chemotherapy versus surgical therapy alone for squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus: A prospective randomized trial

OBJECTIVE This study investigated the role of preoperative chemotherapy in squamous cell cancer of the esophagus. METHODS A prospective randomized trial was undertaken in 147 patients: 74 received preoperative chemotherapy comprising cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil and 73 had surgical therapy alone. End points were cancer and therapy-related deaths. RESULTS Sixty-six patients (89%) in the chemotherapy group underwent resection compared with 69 (95%) in the control group (p = not significant). Of the 60 patients who had resection after completing the chemotherapy program, 35 (58%) had a significant response, of whom four (6.7%) had a complete pathologic response. Postoperative mortality rates were 8.3% and 8.7% in the chemotherapy and control groups, respectively (p = not significant). Significant downstaging was evident with chemotherapy; curative resections were possible in 67% of these patients compared with 35% in the control group (p = 0.0003). T3 and T4 tumors were found in 67% and 91% of the chemotherapy and control groups, respectively (p = 0.0002). The respective figures for N1 disease were 70% and 88% (p = 0.009). An intent-to-treat analysis of survival showed no significant difference between the two groups. Median survivals were 16.8 and 13 months, respectively (p = 0.17). Of those who completed the chemotherapy and resection, responders fared better than control patients. Median survivals were 42.2 months and 13.8 months, respectively (p = 0.003). Median survival (8.3 months) was worse for nonresponders than for control patients (p = 0.03). The recurrence pattern suggested a significant reduction in locoregional disease with chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS Preoperative chemotherapy was safe and resulted in significant downstaging and an increased likelihood of curative resection. Survival was not better than that in the surgery-alone group, but responders did fare better than nonresponders.

A prospective randomized comparison of transhiatal and transthoracic resection for lower-third esophageal carcinoma

BACKGROUND The question whether transhiatal (TH) or transthoracic (TT) resection is most suited for the extirpation of an esophageal cancer remains unresolved. The present study compared the two approaches in a prospective randomized manner. PATIENTS AND METHODS Thirty-nine patients with carcinoma of the lower third of the esophagus who were clinically fit for either TH or TT resection were prospectively randomized to TH (20 patients) and TT (19 patients) resection. Patients of the two groups were comparable in age, sex, preoperative tumor staging, and pulmonary and cardiac risks for surgery. RESULTS There was no significant difference in the amount of blood loss between the two groups although intraoperative hypotension (systolic <80 mm Hg) occurred more frequently in the TH group (P <0.001). The mean operating time for the TH and TT groups were 174 minutes and 210 minutes, respectively (P <0.001). There was no difference in postoperative ventilatory requirements, cardiopulmonary complication rates, and, mean hospital stay between the two groups. There was no 30-day mortality in either group but there were 3 hospital deaths in the TH group from bronchopneumonia (2 patients) and disseminated malignancy (1 patient). The median survival rates were 16 and 13.5 months, respectively, for the TH and TT groups (P = NS). CONCLUSIONS Although there was no demonstrable statistical difference in results between TH and TT approaches, the TT approach is preferred as it allowed for a more controlled operation.

Thoracoscopic esophagectomy for esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND Minimal access surgery is an alternative to open surgery in esophageal surgery. Its role in cancer resection is controversial. METHODS Thoracoscopic esophageal resection was attempted in 22 patients who had increased operative risk. Postoperative outcomes of these patients were compared with the outcomes of 63 patients who underwent open thoracotomy resection during the same period. RESULTS Thoracoscopy was completed in 18 patients. Conversion to thoracotomy was necessary because of locally advanced tumor in three patients, and a bypass procedure was performed in another patient because of poor ventilation during thoracoscopy and the finding of metastatic disease. The median thoracoscopy time was 110 minutes (range, 55 to 165 minutes). The total operating times were 240 minutes (range, 165 to 360 minutes) and 250 minutes (range, 190 to 420 minutes) for thoracoscopy and thoracotomy, respectively, p = 0.5. Blood loss was significantly less than that of open resection; medians were 450 ml (range, 200 to 800 ml) and 700 ml (range, 300 to 2500 ml) for thoracoscopy and thoracotomy, respectively, p < 0.01. The median number of lymph nodes removed at thoracoscopy was 7 (range, 2 to 13) compared with 13 (range, 5 to 34) in the thoracotomy group. Bronchopneumonia affected 17% of both groups of patients. Only one patient who was converted to open thoracotomy died. Port site recurrence developed in one patient. Overall survival rates were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS Thoracoscopic esophageal resection was a feasible option. Clear advantages over open thoracotomy were not demonstrated, although patients who were selected for thoracoscopy had worse performance status. This technique deserves further investigation in dedicated centers.

Small cell carcinoma of the esophagus

Ten cases of small cell carcinoma of the esophagus were studied clinicopathologically and immunohistochemically. Seven of the ten were also examined by electron microscopy. Histologically, six were oat cell type, four the intermediate cell type, and multiple histologic sections revealed squamous and glandular differentiations in small or minute areas of seven and two tumors, respectively. In four of the six polypoid tumors, the epithelium covering the tumor showed a malignant conversion accompanied by a proliferation of small anaplastic cells. Another one showed a cribriform pattern in a small area of the tumor. Argyrophilic tumor cells were seen in six cases and tumor cells immunohistochemically positive for ACTH and calcitonin were seen in six, and three cases, respectively. Neurosecretory granules were evident in three of the seven cases examined by electron microscopy. These findings suggest that a small cell carcinoma of the esophagus differentiates toward a squamous, glandular, or neurosecretory lesion, thereby supporting the idea of a totipotential stem cell origin of this tumor. The prognosis of patients with this tumor was poor, in accord with the evidence of aggressive lymphatic and blood vessel permeation.Background. Small cell carcinoma of the esophagus is regarded as having a poor prognosis with frequent systemic dissemination.

Comparison of hand-sewn and stapled esophagogastric anastomosis after esophageal resection for cancer: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to compare the hand-sewn and stapled methods in esophagogastric anastomosis. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA After esophageal resection for cancer, the relative merits of the hand-sewn and the stapled methods of esophagogastric anastomosis, especially regarding leakage and stricture rates, have not adequately been studied. METHODS A prospective randomized controlled trial was undertaken in 122 patients with squamous cell cancer of the thoracic esophagus who underwent a Lewis-Tanner esophagectomy. Patients were stratified according to esophageal size, based on the diameter of the divided esophagus (< or > or = 30 mm) and then were randomized to have either a hand-sewn or a stapled anastomosis. RESULTS The mean total operating times (standard error of the mean) when the hand-sewn and the stapled methods were used were 214 (4) minutes and 217 (3.4) minutes, respectively (p = not significant [NS]). The respective in vivo proximal resection margins (standard error of the mean) were 8 (0.4) cm and 7.6 (0.4) cm (p = NS). Leakage rates were 1.6% and 4.9% (p = NS). Excluding hospital deaths, patients with leakage or anastomotic recurrence, and those who received radiation therapy to histologically infiltrated resection margin, anastomotic stricture was found in 5 (9.1%) of 55 patients in the hand-sewn group and 20 (40%) of 50 in the stapler group (p = 0.0003). The difference in stricture rates was significant in small as well as large esophagi. Anastomotic recurrence developed in only one patient in each group. CONCLUSIONS The authors conclude that both methods were safe, but the stapled technique resulted in more stricture formation.

Postoperative analgesia reduces mortality and morbidity after esophagectomy

BACKGROUND To study the influence of postoperative analgesia on morbidity and mortality after esophagectomy. METHODS The outcomes of 578 patients who underwent one-stage resection between 1986 and 1995 were analyzed. Patients who received either epidural morphine, patient-controlled analgesia, or continuous intravenous morphine infusion supervised by an anesthesiology-based acute pain service (group APS, n = 299) were compared with those for whom conventional intramuscular meperidine injections were used (group CON, n = 279). RESULTS For patients who underwent transthoracic esophagectomy, group APS (n = 226) had a lower incidence of pulmonary complications (13% versus 25%, P = 0.002), cardiovascular complications (21% versus 43%, P < 0.001), and hospital mortality (8% versus 14%, P = 0.038) when compared with group CON (n = 189). No similar difference was demonstrated in patients who underwent esophagectomy without thoracotomy. The hospital stay (days) was shorter in group APS than in group CON for both transthoracic esophagectomy (22 +/- 20 versus 30 +/- 37, P = 0.005) and nontransthoracic esophagectomy patients (19 +/- 13 versus 25 +/- 21, P = 0.029). CONCLUSION Adequate postoperative analgesia is associated with lower cardiopulmonary complications, lower mortality and reduced cost in patients undergoing transthoracic esophagectomy.

Pyloroplasty versus no drainage in gastric replacement of the esophagus

In a prospective randomized study of pyloroplasty versus no drainage, 200 patients (100 in each group) in whom the whole stomach was used for reconstruction following resection for esophageal carcinoma were studied. Only patients who underwent the Lewis-Tanner operation and who had a normal pylorus were included. There was no morbidity from the pyloroplasty procedure. Thirteen patients without drainage developed symptoms of gastric outlet obstruction, requiring prolonged post-operative parenteral nutrition, and reoperation was required in one patient. Four patients developed pulmonary complications associated with gastric distension, which resulted in fatal aspiration in two patients. Five patients had symptoms of outlet obstruction with eating at the time of their death. Mean and standard deviation of daily gastric aspirate was 161 +/- 88 mL in the pyloroplasty group and 233 +/- 142 mL for the control group (p = 0.23). Gastric emptying test showed mean T1/2 +/- standard deviation of 6.6 +/- 7.5 minutes in the pyloroplasty group and 24.3 +/- 31.5 minutes in the control group (p less than 0.001). More patients in the pyloroplasty group were able to tolerate a solid diet and at normal or increased amounts than were patients in the control group in the early postoperative weeks (p less than 0.01). In addition, control patients were found to have increased symptoms with meals, which were more frequent and of greater severity than symptoms in patients in the pyloroplasty group, even at 6 months after surgery (p less than 0.01). Therefore, we recommend a pyloroplasty for patients in whom the whole stomach is used for reconstruction after esophagectomy.

Scientific paperPyloroplasty versus no drainage in gastric replacement of the esophagus

In a prospective randomized study of pyloroplasty versus no drainage, 200 patients (100 in each group) in whom the whole stomach was used for reconstruction following resection for esophageal carcinoma were studied. Only patients who underwent the Lewis-Tanner operation and who had a normal pylorus were included. There was no morbidity from the pyloroplasty procedure. Thirteen patients without drainage developed symptoms of gastric outlet obstruction, requiring prolonged post-operative parenteral nutrition, and reoperation was required in one patient. Four patients developed pulmonary complications associated with gastric distension, which resulted in fatal aspiration in two patients. Five patients had symptoms of outlet obstruction with eating at the time of their death. Mean and standard deviation of daily gastric aspirate was 161 +/- 88 mL in the pyloroplasty group and 233 +/- 142 mL for the control group (p = 0.23). Gastric emptying test showed mean T1/2 +/- standard deviation of 6.6 +/- 7.5 minutes in the pyloroplasty group and 24.3 +/- 31.5 minutes in the control group (p less than 0.001). More patients in the pyloroplasty group were able to tolerate a solid diet and at normal or increased amounts than were patients in the control group in the early postoperative weeks (p less than 0.01). In addition, control patients were found to have increased symptoms with meals, which were more frequent and of greater severity than symptoms in patients in the pyloroplasty group, even at 6 months after surgery (p less than 0.01). Therefore, we recommend a pyloroplasty for patients in whom the whole stomach is used for reconstruction after esophagectomy.

A comparison of transhiatal and transthoracic resection for carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus

Among 210 patients who underwent resection for carcinoma of the middle and lower thirds of the thoracic esophagus, 38 were selected for a transhiatal nonthoracotomy approach. Compared with the 172 resections through a transthoracic route, there was no difference in age, sex, location, and differentiation of tumor. In the transhiatal group, excessive bleeding and tumor perforation as a result of blunt dissection each occurred in seven patients (18 percent). Recurrent nerve injury was noted in five patients (13 percent), but tracheal damage and chylothorax were avoided. The incidences of operative mortality and postoperative complications were similar in both groups. Survival by life-table analysis showed the transhiatal approach to be inferior to the transthoracic one. This nonrandomized study did not answer the question as to whether respiratory complications were lessened but did show a significant number of intraoperative complications when the transhiatal approach was used. The results indicated that survival was better when resection was performed through the chest.

Prognostic implication of proliferative markers MIB-1 and PC10 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Proliferative markers are related to tumor behavior. The commonly used markers are proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki‐67. The aim of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of MIB‐1 (for Ki‐67) and PC10 (for PCNA) in the assessment of the clinicopathologic features and prognosis in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.