Prognostic significance of peri-operative blood transfusion following radical resection for oesophageal carcinoma

Introduction: Peri-operative allogeneic blood transfusion may exert an immu nomodulatory effect and has been associated with early recurrence and decre ased survival following resection for several gastro-intestinal malignancie s. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic influence of transf usion requirements following radical oesophagectomy for cancer. Methods: A consecutive series of 235 patients undergoing subtotal oesophage ctomy with two-field lymphadenectomy in a single centre from April 1990 to June 1999 were studied. Results: The median age was 64 years (30-79) with a male to female ratio of 3:1. The predominant histological subtype was adenocarcinoma (n=154) compa red to squamous carcinoma (n=81). To avoid the influence of surgical compli cations data were excluded from the 5.5% of patients suffering in-hospital mortality. In the remaining patients, median blood loss was 900 mi (200-550 0) with 46% (103/222) requiring transfusion (median 3 units, range 2-21). M edian survival of non-transfused patients was 36 months compared to only 19 months for those receiving transfusion (log-rank=4.44; 1 df, P=0.0352). No n-transfused patients had significantly higher 2 and 5-year survival rates of 62% and 41% respectively in contrast to only 40% and 25% in those receiv ing blood transfusion. Even after stratification of results according to di sease stage or the presence of major complications, survival was significan tly worse in those receiving transfusion. Multivariate analysis demonstrate d that in addition to nodal status, >4 units transfusion was an independent prognostic indicator. Conclusion: Post-operative transfusion is associated with a significantly w orse prognosis following radical oesophagectomy. Meticulous haemostasis and avoidance of unnecessary transfusion may prove oncologically beneficial. ( C) 2000 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.