Outcome following surgery for squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus.
BACKGROUND
This study was undertaken to determine the outcomes of patients treated for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oesophagus.


METHODS
The study group consisted of 61 patients (median age: 64 years) with invasive SCC of the oesophagus who underwent resection between 1987 and 2007 in Adelaide, South Australia. Thirty-two (52%) were female. Survival data were available for all patients. The log rank test was performed to identify prognostic factors for survival.


RESULTS
The 5-year overall survival rate was 33% (median: 24 months). Of 61 patients, 42 (69%) received neoadjuvant therapy prior to surgery. The overall resection rate was 95%. Significant post-operative morbidity occurred in 47%, and the in-hospital mortality was 5% (30-day mortality: 3%). No overall survival benefit was seen in patients undergoing neoadjuvant therapy prior to surgical resection. However, patients who had a complete pathological response to neoadjuvant therapy had a better 5-year survival than patients who did not receive neoadjuvant therapy: 47% versus 30%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Oesophagectomy following neoadjuvant therapy for SCC of the oesophagus can be performed with low perioperative mortality. A complete response to neoadjuvant therapy was followed by an improved survival outcome.
Yong
En Loon C
EL
Department of Surgery, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.
Han
Xing Peng
XP
Watson
David I
DI
Devitt
Peter G
PG
Jamieson
Glyn G
GG
Thompson
Sarah K
SK
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000453:epidemiology; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013021:South Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015996:Survival Rate / Q000639:trends