[Reoperation for recurrent carcinoma of the esophagus and cardia].
OBJECTIVE
To review the experience of reoperation for recurrent carcinoma of the esophagus and cardia.


METHODS
Between 1979 and 1996, 44 patients with recurrent esophageal and cardiac cancer after the first operation underwent reoperation. Among them, 21 had esophageal cancer and 23 cardiac cancer. 36 patients were male and 8 female, with age ranged from 42 to 68 years.


RESULTS
The resectability rate was 77.2% (34/44) and the hospital mortality rate was 5.8%. Postoperative complications occurred in 7 patients with a morbidity of 20.5%. Pathologically, previous anastomotic relapse was seen in 26 patients, recurrent lesion of residual esophagus in 7, and recurrent cancerous residue at the esophageal bed in 1. 15 patients (44%) showed lymph node metastasis. Follow-up showed that 4 patients survived for 5 years, 4 for 3 years, and 3 for 2 years. 15 patients died within one year after reoperation.


CONCLUSIONS
The recurrence of esophageal and cardiac cancer after first operation is not a contraindication to reoperation, but careful preoperative assessment and patients' selection should become an integral part of the evaluation of these patients.
Wei
G
G
Department of Thoracic Surgery, Henan Tumour Hospital, Zhengzhou 450003.
Shao
L
L
Liu
X
X
Gao
J
J
Xu
J
J
Xing
W
W
D000328:Adult; D002299:Cardia; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005774:Gastrostomy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*