Cg. Manshanden et al., Limited resection for carcinoma of the upper thoracic oesophagus is not a realistic option, EUR J SUR O, 26(6), 2000, pp. 561-566
Aims: Due to its anatomical position, carcinoma of the proximal oesophagus
results in early invasion of adjoining structures, often precluding (radica
l) resection. We performed a retrospective study to compare the potentially
curative and palliative treatment results in patients with proximal (i.e.
at or above the carina) vs distal oesophageal carcinoma.
Methods: Over a 3-year period 30 patients with proximal and 145 patients wi
th distal oesophageal cancer underwent surgery.
Results: Microscopically radical resection was achieved in 11/30 patients (
43%) with a proximal tumour and in 96/145 patients (66%) with a distal tumo
ur (P = 0.007). Three-year survival was 13.8% vs 44.3% respectively; locali
zation was an independent prognostic factor. Recurrent upper aero-digestive
tract symptoms developed in 38% of the patients with a proximal tumour and
in 19% of the patients with distal carcinoma (P<0.05).
Discussion: Carcinoma of the proximal oesophagus has a worse prognosis than
more distal carcinomas. Definite cure is exceptional; many patients are in
effectively palliated. In patients with proximal oesophageal carcinoma surg
ery should not be performed outside clinical trials testing multimodality t
reatment. (C) 2000 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.