Pattern of recurrence after surgery in adenocarcinoma of the gastro-oesophageal junction.
OBJECTIVE
This study reports mode, timing and predictive factors of recurrence after curative surgery for cardia cancer.


METHODS
A prospective study in a series of 92 curatively (R0) resected patients from 1988 to 2002.


RESULTS
The 5-year recurrence rate was 71%. Lymph node involvement was the only predictor of recurrence. No patients with more than 6 metastatic nodes were free from relapse 2 years after surgery. Locoregional, peritoneal and haematogenous relapses showed a similar median recurrence time (12, 10 and 12 months, respectively), 80% occurred within 24 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Few patients can be cured by surgery, lymph nodal involvement is the only predictor of recurrence.
de Manzoni
G
G
First Department of General Surgery, University of Verona, Verona, Italy. chirurgia.urgenza@univr.it
Pedrazzani
C
C
Pasini
F
F
Durante
E
E
Gabbani
M
M
Grandinetti
A
A
Guglielmi
A
A
Griso
C
C
Cordiano
C
C
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005743:Gastrectomy; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000209:etiology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013997:Time Factors