[Surgery and stenting for oesophageal cancer].
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of surgery and stenting for operable and inoperable oesophageal cancer.


METHODS
Retrospective patient materials with resection (n = 65, 1983-2002) or stenting (n = 59, 1994-2003) for primary oesophageal cancer.


RESULTS
Mortality after surgery was 11% and 15% of the patients were re-operated. 36 (55%) had complications such as respiratory failure (n = 33), anastomotic dehiscence/perforation (n = 4), chylothorax (n = 1), haemorrhage (n = 3), wound rupture (n = 1), septicaemia (n = 2), arrhythmia (n = 4) and wound infection (n = 5). Median survival after surgery was 11 months. Survival after three years was 17%, after five years 8%. The stent procedure was without mortality but haemorrhage (n = 1) and stent dislocation (n = 2) occurred. 8 patients (14%) were re-stented for tumour stenosis (n = 6), fistula (n = 2) and dislocation (n = 1). Median survival after stenting was 78 days. Survival after 30 days was 80%, after one year 7%.


CONCLUSIONS
Resectable oesophageal cancer should be operated in fit patients, as survival is improved and some patients can be cured. Stenting is the main option in inoperable patients.
Johnson
Egil
E
Gastrokirurgisk avdeling, Ullevål universitetssykehus, 0407 Oslo. egil.johnson@ulleval.no
Gjerlaug
Bjørg Eline
BE
Holck-Steen
Anne
A
Johannessen
Hans-Olaf
HO
Carlsen
Erik
E
Enden
Tone
T
Noreng
Hans Jørgen
HJ
Drolsum
Anders
A
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome