A CONTRIBUTION TO TRANSTHORACAL-TRANSABDO MINAL RESECTION OF ESOPHAGEAL CANCER

54 patients suffering from esophageal cancer have been treated in a pe riod from 1990 to 1991. In 29 cases curative resection was possible, c orresponding to a resection rate of 54 %. Average age of resected pati ents was 62 years. According to pTNM-classification the stages T1 and T2 amounted to 45 %, T3 and T4 to 55 %. Lymphatic node metastases were discovered with an incidence of 55 %. In patients treated conservativ ely more unfavourable stage distributions and increased rates of lymph atic node metastasis were shown. Transthoracal-transabdominal esophage al resection was prefered as curative management. Lethality amounted t o 13.8 %. In 3 of 4 letal cases after resection autopsy confirmed abse nce of tumor. Letal complications were two respiratory insufficiencies , one suture line dehiscence and one alcoholic delirium. Survival rate s were calculated by life-table-method. We consider the transthoracal- transabdominal esophageal resection as an acceptable therapeutic optio n in esophageal cancer offering a real chance of enduring curing.