Prognosis and Treatment After Diagnosis of Recurrent Esophageal Carcinoma Following Esophagectomy with Curative Intent.
BACKGROUND
Strategies for the treatment of recurrence after initial curative esophagectomy are increasingly being recognized. The aim of this study was to identify prognostic factors that affect survival in patients with recurrence and to evaluate treatment strategies.


METHODS
A prospective database (2003-2013) was used to collect consecutive patients with esophageal carcinoma treated with initial curative esophagectomy. Locations, symptoms, and treatment of recurrence were registered. Post-recurrence survival was defined as the time between the first recurrence and death or last follow-up.


RESULTS
Of the 335 selected patients, 171 (51 %) developed recurrence. Multivariable analysis identified distant recurrence as opposed to locoregional recurrence [hazard ratio (HR) 2.15, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.27-3.65; p = 0.005], more than three recurrent locations (HR 2.42, 95 % CI 1.34-4.34; p = 0.003), and treatment (HR 0.29, 95 % CI 0.20-0.44; p < 0.001) as independent prognostic factors associated with post-recurrence survival. Primary tumor characteristics, including neoadjuvant therapy, histological type, pTN stage, and radicality, did not independently influence post-recurrence survival. Treatment was initiated in 62 patients (37 %) and included chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and/or surgery. Median post-recurrence survival of all patients was 3.0 months (range 0-112). In total, six patients (4 %) were still disease-free following treatment, indicating cure.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients treated for esophageal cancer at curative intent, distant recurrence and more than three recurrent locations were independent prognostic factors associated with worse post-recurrence survival, irrespective of primary tumor characteristics. Although survival after recurrence was poor, treatment can prolong survival and can even lead to cure in selected patients.
Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
K
K
Parry
Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
E
E
Visser
Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.|Department of Radiotherapy, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
P S N
PS
van Rossum
Department of Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrech, The Netherlands.
N Haj
NH
Mohammad
Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
J P
JP
Ruurda
Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands. r.vanHillegersberg@umcutrecht.nl.
R
R
van Hillegersberg
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate