title: Salvage esophagectomy after high-dose chemoradiotherapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Chemoradiotherapy is a popular definitive therapy for esophageal carcinoma among many patients and oncologists. Although the complete response rates are high and short-term survival is favorable after chemoradiotherapy, persistent or recurrent locoregional disease is frequent. Salvage surgery is the sole curative intent treatment option for this course of the disease. The present study evaluates the safety and value of salvage esophagectomy for locoregional failure after high-dose definitive chemoradiotherapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed 59 consecutive patients with thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who underwent salvage esophagectomy after definitive chemoradiotherapy. All patients received more than 60 Gy of radiation plus concurrent chemotherapy for curative intent. The data were compared with those of patients who received esophagectomy without preoperative therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Postoperative morbidity and mortality rates were increased among patients who underwent salvage esophagectomy compared with those who underwent esophagectomy without preoperative therapy (mean hospital stay, 38 vs 33 days; anastomotic leak rates, 31% vs 25%; respiratory complication rates, 31% vs 20%; reintubation within 1 week, 2% vs 2%; hospital mortality rates, 8% vs 2%). Tracheobronchial necrosis and gastric conduit necrosis were highly lethal complications after salvage esophagectomy; 3-year postoperative survivals were 38% and 58%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients who underwent salvage esophagectomy after definitive high-dose chemoradiotherapy had increased morbidity and mortality. Nevertheless, this is acceptable in view of the potential long-term survival after salvage esophagectomy. Such treatment should be considered for carefully selected patients at specialized centers.
authors.affiliation: Esophageal Surgery Division, Departments of Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan. ytachimo@ncc.go.jp
authors.forename: Yuji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tachimori
authors.forename: Norio
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kanamori
authors.forename: Norihisa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Uemura
authors.forename: Norikazu
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hokamura
authors.forename: Hiroyasu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Igaki
authors.forename: Hoichi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kato
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D015996:Survival Rate