Chemoradiotherapy Before and After Surgery for Locally Advanced Esophageal Cancer: A SEER-Medicare Analysis

Purpose

The optimal combination and timing of therapy for esophageal cancer remains controversial. The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare registry was used to assess neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with nonmetastatic T3+ or N1+ esophageal adenocarcinoma (ACA) or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) from 1995 to 2002 who underwent surgical resection within 6 months of diagnosis were studied. Medicare data defined preoperative chemoradiotherapy (preCRT), preoperative radiotherapy (preRT), postoperative CRT (postCRT), chemotherapy and surgery (CT + S), and surgery alone.

Results

Of 419 eligible patients, 126 received preCRT, 55 preRT, 40 postCRT, 29 CT + S, and 169 surgery alone. PreCRT yielded median overall survival (OS) of 37 months, greater than surgery alone (17 months, p = 0.002) and postCRT (17 months, p = 0.06). PreRT (20 months, p = 0.20), postCRT (p = 0.88), and CT + S (20 months, p = 0.42) were not associated with OS benefit versus surgery alone. For SCC, preCRT improved survival versus surgery alone (p = 0.01), with a trend for ACA (p = 0.07). ACA (22 months) had greater OS than SCC (17 months) (p = 0.03). ACA, younger age, and married status were associated with increased OS. Adjusting for these, preCRT had longer OS versus surgery alone (p = 0.02) and postCRT (p = 0.03). Chemotherapy agents and surgical approach did not affect OS.

Conclusions

In the SEER-Medicare cohort, preCRT significantly improved survival versus surgery alone and postCRT for locally advanced esophageal cancer, particularly for SCC. PreRT, postCRT, and CT + S were not associated with longer survival.     

Postoperative Complications Do Not Affect Long-Term Outcome in Esophageal Cancer Patients

Background

As esophagectomy is associated with a considerable complication rate, the aim of this study was to assess the impact of postoperative complications and neoadjuvant treatment on long-term outcome of adenocarcinoma (EAC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) patients.

Methods

Altogether, 134 patients undergoing transthoracic esophagectomy between 2005 and 2010 with intrathoracic stapler anastomosis were included in the study. Postoperative complications were allocated into three main categories: overall complications, acute anastomotic insufficiency, and pulmonary complications. Data were collected prospectively and reviewed retrospectively for the purpose of this study.

Results

SCC patients suffered significantly more often from overall and pulmonary complications (SCC vs. EAC: overall complications 67 vs. 45 %, p = 0.044; pulmonary complications 56 vs. 34 %, p = 0.049). The anastomotic insufficiency rates did not differ significantly (SCC 11%, EAC 15%, p = 0.69). Long-term survival of EAC and SCC patients was not affected by perioperative (overall/pulmonary) complications or by the occurrence of anastomotic insufficiency. Also, neoadjuvant treatment did not influence the incidence of complications or long-term survival.

Conclusions

This is the first time the patient population of a center experienced with esophageal cancer surgery was assessed for the occurrence of general and esophageal cancer surgery-specific perioperative complications. Our results indicated that these complications did not affect long-term survival of EAC and SCC patients. Our data support the hypothesis that neoadjuvant treatment might not affect the incidence of perioperative complications or long-term survival after treatment of these tumor subtypes.     

Impact of Circumferential Resection Margin Distance on Locoregional Recurrence and Survival after Chemoradiotherapy in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background

Close circumferential resection margin (CRM) is an established predictor for locoregional recurrence (LR) in rectal cancer but remains controversial in esophageal malignancy. As yet, little is known about the significance of CRM after chemoradiotherapy (CRT), especially in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). This study investigated the relationship between CRM distance and recurrence after neoadjuvant CRT in esophageal SCC patients.

Methods

Between 1997 and 2005, esophageal SCC patients who underwent surgery after neoadjuvant CRT and with pathology stage T3N0M0 and T3N1M0 (metastatic lymph nodes <2) were selected. CRM distance was reassessed and divided into three groups (group 1: CRM >1 mm, group 2: uninvolved CRM but <1 mm, group 3: CRM involved).

Results

The cohort comprised 145 male and 6 female patients with mean age of 57 years. There were 74, 51, and 26 patients in group 1, 2, and 3, respectively. With median follow-up period of 50 months, LR developed in 30.5% of patients. Both group 2 and group 3 had significantly higher LR than group 1 (37 and 42% vs. 21%, P < 0.05). Meanwhile, mean time from operation to recurrence was also significantly shorter in group 2 and group 3 than in group 1 (267 and 269 days versus 402 days, P < 0.05). Five-year disease-specific survival (DSS) was highest in group 1 (40%). Despite the similarity in LR, 5-year DSS significantly differed between group 2 and group 3 (22 vs. 7%, P < 0.05). The higher rate of distant recurrence (DR) and concomitant LR + DR in group 3 accounted for the survival difference.

Conclusion

In ypT3 esophageal SCC patients, CRM distance provides useful information for risk stratification in cancer recurrence and survival.     

Outcome of Patients with Esophageal Cancer: A Nationwide Analysis

Background

Esophageal cancer is 1 of the 10 most common cancers and is a particular devastating form of cancer worldwide. More than 90 % patients with esophageal cancer in Taiwan have squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). In the present study, we assessed the factors affecting survival of patients with esophageal cancer using data from Taiwan, a high-incidence area for esophageal SCC.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of 12,482 patients who were newly diagnosed with esophageal cancer from 1998 to 2007. The data were obtained from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. Study participants were followed-up until the end of 2008.

Results

Of the 12,482 patients, 11,490 (92.1 %) were male with a median age of 60 years, and 992 (7.9 %) were female with a median age of 71 years at the time of diagnosis. The overall 1-, 2-, 5-, and 10-year survival rates after diagnosis were 40.3, 22.9, 12.8, and 7.6 %, respectively. Among parametric models for esophageal cancer prognosis, male sex, no curative treatment (surgery and/or radiotherapy), old age, and low socioeconomic status were significantly associated with shorter survival. Furthermore, curative treatment with surgery improved the survival of esophageal cancer patients more significantly compared with patients who undergo definite radiotherapy.

Conclusions

Our data indicated that age, sex, and curative treatment were significant predictors of lifetime survival in patients with esophageal cancer. The overall survival rates of patients with esophageal cancer are relatively low, while survival of patients who undergo surgery is improved significantly.     

Racial Disparities in Esophageal Cancer Outcomes

Background

Racial disparities in outcomes have been documented among patients with esophageal cancer. The purpose of this study is to identify mechanisms for ethnicity/race-related differences in the use of cancer-directed surgery and mortality.

Methods

Data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program were used to evaluate non-Hispanic black, non-Hispanic white and Hispanic patients diagnosed with non-metastatic esophageal cancer (squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma) from 2003–2008. Age, marital status, stage, histology and location were examined as predictors of receipt of surgery and mortality in multivariate analyses.

Results

A total of 6,737 patient files (84 % white, 10 % black, 6 % Hispanic) were analyzed. Black and Hispanic patients were more likely than whites to have squamous cell carcinoma (86 vs. 41 vs. 26 %, respectively; p < 0.001) and lesions in the midesophagus (58 vs. 38 vs. 26 %, respectively; p < 0.001). Blacks and Hispanics were less likely to undergo esophagectomy (adjusted odds ratio 0.48, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.39–0.60 and 0.71, 95 % CI 0.56–0.90]. We noted significant variations in esophagectomy rates among patients with midesophageal cancers; 15 % of blacks underwent esophagectomy compared to 22 % of Hispanics and 29 % of whites (p < 0.001). Black and Hispanic patients had a higher unadjusted risk of mortality (hazard ratio 1.38, 95 % CI 1.25–1.52 and 1.20, 95 % CI 1.05–1.37). However, differences in mortality were no longer significant after adjusting for receipt of surgery.

Conclusions

Disparities in esophageal cancer outcomes are associated with the lower use of cancer-directed surgery. To decrease disparities in mortality it will be necessary to understand and target underlying causes of lower surgery rates in nonwhite patients and develop interventions, especially for midesophageal cancers.     

Primary urethral carcinoma in females: an epidemiologic study on demographical factors, histological types, tumour stage and survival

Purpose

To obtain insight into demographical factors, histology and survival rates of females diagnosed with primary urethral cancer and to determine favourable treatment.

Methods

Data from 91 females with primary urethral carcinoma, age varying from 15 to 85 years, registered between 1989 and 2008 at the National Cancer Registry of the Netherlands were used for this study. Demographical factors, incidence rate, morphology and tumour stage according to TNM classification were analysed. Kaplan–Meier survival curves were constructed and stratified by stage, histological type and treatment modality.

Results

The overall crude annual incidence was 0.7 per million women with a peak incidence in the age group of 80–84 years. Analysis of the morphology showed urothelial cell carcinoma (UCC) in 45 %, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in 19 %, adenocarcinoma (AC) in 29 %, and unknown or undifferentiated carcinoma accounted for 6 %. Almost half of patients (46 %) had advanced disease at time of diagnosis and was mainly treated with surgery and/or radiotherapy. The 5-year survival rates of stage 0–II, stage III and stage IV were 67, 53 and 17 %, respectively. The 5-year survival rates of SCC, UCC and AC were 64, 61 and 31 %, respectively.

Conclusions

Female primary urethral carcinoma is a rare condition, and the majority of patients were aged above 65 years. Almost half of patients have advanced disease upon diagnosis. TNM stage and histological type of disease are the most determining factors for survival. Extended surgery with or without radiotherapy seems to be the most favourable treatment. Awareness and early diagnosis are important to improve survival.     

The Effect of Age on Race-Related Breast Cancer Survival Disparities

Background

Breast cancer survival disparities by race are likely multifactorial. In a small pilot cohort, we demonstrated a statistical interaction between age and race. The purpose of this study was to validate earlier findings in a larger, more diverse cohort and to test the hypothesis that breast cancer survival is influenced by the dependent relationship of age and race.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of a multi-institutional breast cancer database for patients treated between 1999 and 2009. Study variables included age and disease stage at diagnosis, race, treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy) and overall survival. Statistical analysis and regression models were performed by Stata software.

Results

A total of 9,249 patients were included in this study. African American, Hispanic, and Asian patients were more likely to present at a younger age with metastases. African American and Hispanic race were associated with increased mortality after adjusting for stage, age, and treatment. A 2-way interaction between age and race was identified in the Cox regression model (p < 0.001). To further define this interaction, a postestimation analysis was performed to determine the predicted relative hazard for each race with age fixed at 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 years. At younger ages, the predicted relative hazard was significantly higher for both African American and Hispanic race.

Conclusions

Despite adjusting for stage and treatment differences, African American and Hispanic race predicted poor survival. The effect of age and treatment on breast cancer survival differs across races. Additional research is needed to accurately determine the reasons for worsened survival.     

Survival after Definitive (Chemo)Radiotherapy in Esophageal Cancer Patients: A Population-Based Study in the North-East Netherlands

Background

Definitive (chemo)radiotherapy is employed in esophageal cancer patients as an alternative for patients considered medically unfit for surgery or having unresectable tumors. We evaluated a population-based cohort to improve the selection for intensified nonsurgical strategies and to identify prognostic factors.

Methods

Patients who had squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) or adenocarcinoma (AC) were treated in four referral centers in the north-east Netherlands with definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT) or radiotherapy (dRT) between 1996 and 2008.

Results

Of the 287 included patients, 110 were treated with dCRT and 177 with dRT. Median overall survival (OS) was 11 months (95 % confidence interval: 10–12 months), with OS of 22 and 8 % and disease-free survival (DFS) of 16 and 5 % at 2 and 5 years, respectively. DFS at 2 and 5 years was 24 and 9 % for SCC versus 10 and 2 % for AC patients (P = 0.006). OS after 2 and 5 years was 29 and 14 % for SCC patients versus 17 and 3 % for AC patients (P = 0.044). On multivariate Cox regression, SCC was an independent prognostic factor for DFS [P = 0.020, hazard ratio (HR) = 0.71] and OS (P = 0.047, HR = 0.76). On matched cohort analysis, DFS was higher in the dCRT group compared with dRT patients (P = 0.016). The locoregional failure rate was lower in the dCRT group and in SCC patients (P = 0.001 and 0.046).

Conclusions

Long-term results and the local control rate in SCC patients were better after definitive (chemo)radiotherapy compared with in AC patients. SCC was an independent prognostic factor for survival. Definitive chemoradiotherapy leads to improved local control rate and DFS.     

Factors Influencing Surgical and Adjuvant Therapy in Stage I Breast Cancer: A SEER 18 Database Analysis

Background

Randomized trials have shown no survival difference for patients with stage I breast cancer treated with mastectomy versus breast-conserving surgery (BCS) with radiotherapy (RT). RT is recommended after BCS in order to decrease local recurrence and mortality. We sought to evaluate the treatment trends in patients with stage I breast cancer.

Methods

We used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database to identify 194,860 women with stage I breast cancer diagnosed from 1988 to 2007. We evaluated factors that were associated surgical treatment and the utilization of RT after BCS.

Results

There was a progressive decline in the proportion of patients with stage I breast cancer who were treated with mastectomy from 1998 to 2007. Significant predictors for being treated with mastectomy included single/divorced women (p = 0.007), white race (p < 0.001), estrogen receptor negativity (p < 0.001), earlier year of diagnosis (p < 0.001), smaller tumor size (p < 0.001), and region (p < 0.001). Twenty percent of the BCS cohort did not receive RT, and this proportion did not change over time. Significant predictors for not receiving RT included small tumor size (p < 0.001), African American race (p < 0.001), increasing age (p < 0.001), single/divorced women (p < 0.001), estrogen receptor negativity (p < 0.001), and region (p < 0.001). The survival for patients treated with BCS and RT was significantly higher than for those who did not receive RT (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The use of BCS for the treatment of stage I breast cancer increased over time. A constant proportion of patients did not receive RT after BCS. Omission of RT in BCS is associated with an increase in mortality.     

Endoscopic and Pathologic Findings Associated with Clinical Outcomes of Melanoma in the Upper Gastrointestinal Tract

Background

Melanoma that involves the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract is rare and studies relating to endoscopic and pathologic findings with clinical outcomes are lacking. We reviewed the gross and microscopic patterns of the upper GI tract in primary and metastatic melanoma, and examined their association with clinical outcomes.

Methods

Twenty-nine cases of primary esophageal (n = 19) and metastatic gastric and/or duodenal melanoma (n = 10) that were detected during upper GI endoscopy between 1995 and 2011 were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

Three types of gross patterns were recognized—nodular pattern in 7 cases, mass-forming pattern in 18 cases, and flat pigmented pattern in 4 cases. In primary esophageal melanoma, 13 patients (68.4 %) underwent surgery and 9 received palliative therapy. Of all cases, 22 patients (75.9 %) died of disease progression; the median overall survival period was 12 months (interquartile range [IQR] 4.5–24.5 months), and from recognition of upper GI tract melanoma the median overall survival period was 9 months (IQR 3.5–17.0 months). In primary esophageal cases, skin melanoma stage better discriminated the patients with good prognosis than the esophageal cancer stage. The flat pigmented gross pattern proved to be a good prognostic factor in primary and metastatic GI tract melanomas (p = 0.016 and p = 0.046, respectively).

Conclusions

Melanoma of the GI tract is a highly aggressive disease with a poor prognosis, both in primary and metastatic cases. However, in primary esophageal melanoma, careful inspection of the mucosa during endoscopic examination followed by surgical resection may result in extended survival.     

Correlation Between gp96 Expression and the Surgical Outcome in Patients With Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background

Heat-shock protein gp96 plays an important role in antitumor immunoreactions. Gp96 has a close relationship with antitumor immunity. This study evaluated the correlation between gp96 expression and the prognosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Methods

Seventy-eight patients with primarily resected esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were enrolled onto this study, and gp96 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining. The association of clinicopathological factors and patients’ survival was calculated by univariate (log rank test) and multivariate (Cox proportional hazard regression method) analyses.

Results

Fifty-seven (73%) of 78 cases were gp96 positive, and 21 were negative (27%). The survival of patients with gp96-negative disease was significantly shorter (5-year survival, 22.9 months) than with gp96-positive disease (45.8 months; P = 0.049), and the multivariate analysis showed that gp96 negativity is an independent risk factor for poor survival (hazard ratio, 2.577; P = 0.040). Gp96-negative cases had more metastatic lymph nodes than did negative cases, especially in T1 cases (4.8 in gp96-negative cases vs. 0.84 in gp96-positive cases; P = 0.064)

Conclusions

The downregulation of gp96 expression is closely correlated with poor survival in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.     

Single-Institution Retrospective Comparison of Preoperative Versus Definitive Chemoradiotherapy for Adenocarcinoma of the Esophagus

Purpose

We sought to determine the impact of esophagectomy on survival in patients with adenocarcinoma of the esophagus cancer after chemoradiotherapy (CRT).

Methods

A database of esophageal cancer was queried for nonmetastatic patients with adenocarcinoma treated between 2000 and 2011 with CRT. Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) curves were calculated according to the Kaplan–Meier method and log-rank analysis. Multivariate analysis was performed by the Cox proportional hazard model.

Results

We identified 154 patients (60 without surgery; 94 with surgery) who were included in the analysis. The only differences between the 2 groups were more advanced disease stage, improved performance status, and younger age in the surgery group. Patients undergoing surgery had significantly higher survival. Median and 5-year OS for surgical patients were 4.1 years and 43.6 %, versus 1.9 years and 35.6 % for nonsurgical patients (p = 0.007). Multivariate analysis for OS and RFS revealed that factors associated with increased survival were surgical resection, tumor length < 5 cm, male gender, and lower stage. Age, tumor location, radiation dose/technique, and induction chemotherapy were not prognostic. There was a trend toward improved survival on univariate analysis (p = 0.10) and multivariate analysis (p = 0.063) for surgical patients compared to nonsurgical patients who were healthy enough for surgery before CRT (n = 38), and no difference in OS in nonsurgical patients healthy enough for surgery after CRT (n = 22).

Conclusion

Esophagectomy after CRT is associated with improved survival in patients with adenocarcinoma after CRT. Trimodal therapy should continue to remain the standard of care for esophageal adenocarcinoma.     

Complete Clinical Response After Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy for Squamous Cell Cancer of the Thoracic Oesophagus: Is Surgery Always Necessary?

Background

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CT-RT) before oesophagectomy is standard management for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the thoracic oesophagus. The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of patients who had clinical complete response (CR) with neoadjuvant CT-RT + oesophagectomy with the survival of patients who had clinical CR and were not operated on.

Patients and Methods

Seventy-seven consecutive patients with SCC of the thoracic oesophagus with CR with neoadjuvant CT-RT presenting at the Regional Center of Esophageal Diseases from 1992 to 2008 were included in this retrospective study on a prospectively collected database. Thirty-nine patients underwent oesophagectomy (CT-RT + oesophagectomy), while 38 (CT-RT) were not operated on because they were considered unfit for surgery or refused the operation. Patients’ outcome and survival were compared.

Results

In the CT-RT + oesophagectomy group, clinical CR was confirmed after histological examination of the surgical specimen in 27/39 (69.2 %) patients. Five-year overall survival rates were 50.0 % in the CT-RT + oesophagectomy group and 57.0 % in the CT-RT group (p?=?0.99); 5-year disease-free survival rates were 55.5 % in the CT-RT + oesophagectomy group and 34.6 % in the CT-RT group (p?=?0.15). Even after adjusting for propensity score, age, ASA and clinical stage, the treatment regimen did not show a statistically significant effect on overall survival (adjusted p?=?0.65) nor on disease-free survival (adjusted p?=?0.15).

Conclusion

In our group of patients with clinical CR after neoadjuvant CT-RT for SCC of the thoracic oesophagus, waiting for recurrence and then using salvage surgery did not negatively impact their survival compared to patients treated with surgery. More accurate restaging protocols are warranted to improve decision making after CR with neoadjuvant CT-RT.     

Impact of Aggressive Histology and Location of Primary Tumor on the Efficacy of Surgical Therapy for Peritoneal Carcinomatosis of Colorectal Origin

Background

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion (HIPEC) for peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) of colorectal origin increases survival (OS) compared to systemic chemotherapy alone. Signet ring histology demonstrates aggressive behavior with poor survival. We sought to determine whether CRS/HIPEC increases survival in this subset of patients.

Methods

We reviewed 67 patients with PC of appendiceal (AP, n = 37) or colorectal origin (CRC, n = 30) with signet cell histology from a prospective database between May 2001 and August 2011. Survival analysis and multivariate Cox regression were used to determine prognostic factors for survival.

Results

Complete CRS (CC-0/1) was achieved in 77 % (CRC) and 73 % (AP) of patients. Progression-free survival (PFS) and OS were 9 and 12 months in CRC and 12 and 21 months in AP patients. In the CRC group, univariate predictors of poor survival included female gender, age, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, preoperative albumin, completeness of cytoreduction, and morbidity. In a multivariate Cox regression model, incomplete cytoreduction (CC-2/3) and female gender were joint significant predictors of poor survival. In the AP group, significant univariate predictors of poor survival included higher EBL and PCI score. In a multivariate Cox regression model, blood loss of >500 ml and a body mass index of <25 kg/m² were joint significant predictors of poor survival.

Conclusions

AP signet cell tumors demonstrate a more favorable outcome than CRC signet cell tumors after CRC/HIPEC for carcinomatosis, suggesting an underlying difference in biology. CRS/HIPEC does not confer survival benefit in colorectal signet ring carcinomatosis unless complete cytoreduction can be achieved, whereas appendiceal signet ring carcinomatosis may benefit, regardless of resectability.     

Increased Platelet Counts after Transthoracic En Bloc Resection for Esophageal Cancer is Associated with Significantly Improved Survival

Background

We analyzed perioperative platelet counts as a potential clinical marker for survival after transthoracic en bloc resection for esophageal cancer. Recent data described preoperative thrombocytosis in malignancies to be associated with poor prognosis.

Methods

A retrospective analysis from a prospective database (1997–2006) was performed for 291 consecutive patients with esophageal cancer who underwent transthoracic en bloc esophagectomy and extended lymphadenectomy. Squamous cell cancer was found in 47.0% and adenocarcinoma in 50.9% (2.1% had rare histologies). Neoadjuvant chemoradiation was performed in 152 (52%) patients. Platelet counts before surgery and on postoperative days (PODs) 1, 10, and 30 were evaluated. We used the published cutoff value of 293 × 10⁹/l (mean of 80 healthy controls ± standard deviation) for platelet counts.

Results

High platelet counts before surgery missed significance for poorer survival (p = 0.054). Following a perioperative fall in thrombocytes, a significant rise at POD 10 after surgery was evident. Platelet counts of more than 293 × 10⁹/l at this time correlated with a significantly improved survival rate (p = 0.027). Patients with no increase in thrombocytes until POD 10 had significantly poorer survival (p = 0.012). Multivariate analysis confirmed that a thrombocyte increase between the preoperative count and that on POD 10 is an independent prognostic indicator (p = 0.035) for patients with completely (R0) resected tumors.

Conclusions

An increase in platelet counts measured on POD 10 following transthoracic en bloc esophagectomy and extended lymphadenectomy is an independent prognostic indicator for improved survival in patients with esophageal cancer.     

Using Pretreatment Tumor Depth and Length to Select Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients for Nonoperative Treatment After Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy

Background

Two randomized trials have shown that in patients with good response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT), a nonoperative approach (additional CRT) had equal survival to scheduled esophagectomy. However, controversy exists because of the high locoregional recurrence (LR) following a nonoperative approach. Endoscopic complete response (e-CR) determined by endoscopic finding is a good criterion for predicting local control after definitive CRT. We evaluated whether e-CR could also be used to select patients for nonoperative treatment after nCRT.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) patients with e-CR after nCRT between 1999 and 2006. Patients were divided into two groups by the type of treatment given after e-CR (group A, scheduled esophagectomy; group B, no scheduled surgery and continued CRT).

Results

There were 71 and 79 patients in groups A and B, respectively with similar pre/post-nCRT characteristics. Despite similarity in survival and recurrence between groups, the recurrence site differed significantly. LR occurred more frequently in group B, whereas systemic recurrence was the predominant failure pattern in group A (P < .001). With use of multivariate analysis on group B, we determined that pretreatment depth of tumor invasion ≥T3 [odds ratio (OR), 11.19; 95 % CI, 1.4–89; unfavorable, P = .023] and tumor length ≥6 cm (OR, 3.069; 95 % CI, 1.17–8.1; unfavorable, P = .023) were predictors for LR. Patients with initial clinical T2 and <6 cm tumor had comparable LR (5 %) to the surgery group; these patients were candidates for nonoperative treatment after nCRT.

Conclusion

In esophageal SCC patients who achieved e-CR after nCRT, pretreatment tumor depth and length were good indicators to select candidates for nonoperative treatment.     

Adenocarcinoma of the Esophagus in the Young

Introduction

Practitioners have noted a striking increase in the number of young patients under the age of 40 years old who develop esophageal adenocarcinoma. The aim of this study was to characterize the presentation, pathology and therapeutic outcome of these young patients.

Methods

The records of patients who presented to the Foregut Surgical Service at the University of Southern California with esophageal adenocarcinoma between 2000 and 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. The presentation, tumor stage and histology, therapy and outcome of the patients under the age of 40 were compared to those ≥40.

Results

Of the 374 patients reviewed, 20 (5 %) were under the age of 40. There were two patients in their second and 18 in their third decade of life. The youngest patient was 25 years old. A history of gastroesophageal reflux disease or Barrett’s esophagus was less common in patients <40 than in those ≥40; 15 and 5 % compared to 61 and 46 %. Similarly, patients <40 had a significantly longer time interval between the onset of symptoms and the diagnosis of their cancer than those ≥40; 4.5 vs. 2 months, p?=?0.04. They also had a higher prevalence of stage IV disease (30 vs. 6 %, p?=?0.0003), a shorter time to recurrence (9.5 vs.19 month, p?=?0.002), and a poorer median survival (17 vs. 43 month, p?=?0.04).

Conclusion

Esophageal adenocarcinoma in patients <40 years old commonly presents with an advanced stage of the disease and an associated poor survival. This is likely due to a low index of suspicion that dysphagia seen in younger patients is due to a malignancy.     

Invasive IPMN and MCN: Same Organ, Sifferent Outcomes?

Background

The efficacy of surgery for invasive mucinous neoplasms is unclear. We examined the natural history of invasive mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCN) and invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) in patients who underwent pancreatic resection.

Methods

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database (1996–2006) was queried for cases of resected invasive MCN and IPMN. Demographics, tumor characteristics, and overall survival were examined using log-rank analysis and multivariate Cox regression model.

Results

Of 185 MCN cases and 641 IPMN cases, 73% and 48%, respectively, were women (P < 0.0001). Most (73%) IPMN were in the head of the pancreas; most (64%) MCN were in the tail/body (P < 0.0001). Lymph node metastasis was more common for IPMN than MCN (46% vs. 24%, P < 0.0001). Overall survival after resection was better for patients with stage I MCN vs. stage I IPMN (P = 0.0005), and it was better for patients with node-negative MCN vs. node-negative IPMN (P = 0.0061). There was no significant difference in survival of patients with stage IIA MCN vs. stage IIA IPMN (P = 0.5964), stage IIB MCN vs. stage IIB IPMN (P = 0.2262), or node-positive MCN vs. node-positive IPMN (P = 0.2263). Age older than 65 years (hazards ratio (HR) 1.71, P = 0.0046), high tumor grade (HR 2.68, P < 0.0001), higher T stage (HR 2.11, P < 0.0001), and IPMN histology (HR 1.90, P = 0.0040) predicted worse outcome in node-negative patients.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that survival is better after resection of invasive MCN versus invasive IPMN when disease is localized within the pancreas, but this difference disappears in the presence of nodal metastasis or extrapancreatic extension.     

Metaplastic Breast Cancer: To Radiate or Not to Radiate?

Background

The role of radiation therapy (RT) is unclear for metaplastic breast cancer (MBC). We hypothesized that RT would improve overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS).

Materials and Methods

We used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database to identify MBC patients diagnosed from1988 to 2006. Univariate analyses of patient, tumor, and treatment-specific factors on OS and DSS were performed using the Kaplan–Meier method and differences among survival curves assessed via log rank. Variables assessed included patient age, race/ethnicity, histologic subtype, tumor grade, T stage, N stage, M stage, hormone receptor status, surgery type, and use of RT. Cox proportional hazards models used all univariate covariates. Risks of mortality were reported as hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI); significance was set at P ≤ 0.05.

Results

Among 1501 patients, RT was given to 580 (38.6%). Ten-year OS and DSS were 53.2, and 68.3%, respectively. In the overall analysis, RT provided an OS (HR 0.64; 95% CI, 0.51–0.82; P < 0.001) and DSS (HR 0.74; CI, 0.56–0.96; P < 0.03) benefit. When patients were stratified according to type of surgery, RT provided an OS but not a DSS benefit to lumpectomy (HR 0.51; CI, 0.32–0.79, P < 0.01) and mastectomy patients (HR 0.67; CI, 0.49–0.90; P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Our findings support the use of RT for patients with MBC following lumpectomy or mastectomy. These retrospective findings should be confirmed in a prospective clinical trial.     

Esophageal Cancer Associated with Multiple Primary Cancers: Surgical Approaches and Long-term Survival

Background

The presence of multiple primary cancers (MPCs) in patients with esophageal cancer often presents physicians with a difficult therapeutic decision, because little is known about the appropriate treatment and long-term survival. The purpose of this study was to evaluate appropriate surgical approaches and long-term survival after surgery for esophageal cancer associated with MPCs.

Methods

Data from 622 patients who underwent surgery for primary esophageal cancer between 1989 and 2008 were reviewed retrospectively to identify the presence of MPCs.

Results

A total of 96 MPCs were identified in 90 (14.5 %) patients. The three leading MPCs were stomach cancer (n = 36, 37.5 %), head and neck cancer (n = 18, 18.8 %), and lung cancer (n = 18, 18.8 %). The rate of curative resections for both esophageal cancer and MPCs was 87.5 % (28/32) in patients with stomach cancer, 47.1 % (8/17) in head and neck cancer, and 52.9 % (9/17) in lung cancer (P = 0.006). The 5-year survival rates after surgery for esophageal cancer in patients associated with stomach, lung, and head and neck cancer were 52.7, 27.0, and 9.2 %, respectively (P = 0.011).

Conclusions

A range of surgical approaches for esophageal cancer is available in patients associated with MPCs. However, curative resections for primary esophageal cancer associated with MPCs are feasible in highly selected patients. Therefore, a multidisciplinary team management approach is essential for customized treatment strategies in patients with esophageal cancer associated with MPCs.