Surgical treatment of cancer of the esophagus and cardia

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the results following surgical resection for cancer of the gastro-oesophageal junction. From 1. january 1988 to 1. april 1996 radical resection was intended in 107 patients at the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at Odense University Hospital. Resection was possible in 75 patients. The operative mortality was 6.7% insufficiency of the gastro-oesophageal anastomosis was found in 6.7%. Five year survival was 24.1%. However in 52 patients where the resection was found to be radical the five-year survival was 35.3%. The results show that oesophago-gastrectomy could be performed with low mortality and morbidity. Long term survival is still low. To improve the results efforts should be directed toward earlier diagnosis, better selection and minimising post-operative complications.     

Pretherapeutic evaluation in cancer of the cardia

Two new UV lamps were investigated with respect to their antibacterial effectiveness in vitro. Propioni (n = 20 strains) and Micrococcaceae (n = 16 strains) bacteria extracted from acne patients were applied to RCM and sheep blood agar plates and irradiated with a narrow-band UVB lamp (TL 100W/10R) at a wavelength of 313 nm and a UVA1 lamp (TL 01) at a wavelength of 345-440 nm. The precisely defined energy levels were, in the case of narrow-band UVB, 0.00, 0.30, 0.50, 1.00, 2.00 and 3.00 J/cm2 and, in the case of UVA1, 0.00, 2.50, 5.00, 7.50, 10.00 and 20.00 J/cm2. UVA1 inhibited neither the growth of Propioni nor Micrococcaceae bacteria. In contrast, the growth of Micrococcaceae was inhibited already at a dosage of 0.30 J/cm2 of narrow-band UVB (P < 0.05), highly significant from 0.50 J/cm2 (P < 0.01) and to a maximum of 2.2 powers of 10 at 3.00 J/cm2 compared with non-radiated control plates. Propioni bacteria were significantly inhibited at the minimum dosage of 0.30 J/cm2 of narrow-band UVB (P < 0.01) and to a maximum of 2.8 powers of 10 at 3.00 J/cm2.     

Results of surgical correction of constriction function of cardia

The results of surgical correction of insufficiency of locking function of cardia in 113 patients are analysed. The X-ray and endoscopic examination, intraesophageal measurement of pH, manometry in esophago-gastric connection were used to study the reasons of cardia insufficiency in chronic diseases of gastro-intestinal tract. The indications for surgical correction of this status are formulated. The original operation of the dosed out cardio-esophagofundoplication is advocated as the most effective operation in such condition. The rate of morbidity after this type of surgery is 3.1% vs. 41.9% after the fundoplicatin by the method of Nissen.     

Results of surgical treatment of oesophageal cancer

The objective of this laboratory study was to compare root-end cavities prepared with sonic Retro-prep tips in a MM1500 Sonic Air handpiece with those created by burs in a conventional handpiece. A total of 80 single-rooted extracted human teeth with mature apices and straight canals were included in the study. Four groups of 20 extracted teeth were prepared as follows: I, a 3-4 mm root-end resection perpendicular to the long axis of the root, with a size 40 sonic Retro-prep tip creating an apical cavity 3 mm into root canal system; II, a 45 degrees bevel of the root-face removing a 3-4 mm root segment and root-end preparation as per group I; III, root-end resection as per group I, with an apical cavity prepared using a size 010 inverted cone bur 3 mm down the long axis of the root; IV, resection as per group II, followed by an apical cavity preparation with a size 010 inverted cone bur 3 mm into the root canal system. The apical root portion and root-end cavities were replicated and prepared for SEM analysis at x 20 and x 80 magnification. The degree of chipping associated with the margin of the root-end cavities, as evaluated with a standard grading system, and the incidence of root-face cracks were noted. Marginal chipping of root-end cavities prepared using sonic instrumentation was significantly worse than that produced by burs (P < 0.001). Perpendicular root-end resections showed significantly better scores than bevelled root-end resections (P < 0.005). The incidence of root-face cracking was low with no significant difference between the experimental groups.     

Application of the new classification for cancer of the cardia

BACKGROUND: Cancer of the cardia is now topographically classified into three types: type I, with the tumor center in the distal esophagus treated with subtotal esophagectomy; type II, arising at the gastroesophageal junction and treated with distal esophagectomy and either proximal or total gastrectomy; and type III, subcardial cancer treated with extended total gastrectomy. Our objective was to review the new classifications and compare the outcomes in patients grouped and treated according to these classifications. METHODS: Seventy-four patients with cancer of the cardia--15 with type I, 30 with type II, and 29 with type III cancer--underwent surgical resection at our institution between 1992 and 1997. Postoperative complications, UICC stages, and survival (Kaplan-Meier) were compared. RESULTS: The majority of patients with type I (73%) or type II (53%) cancer had stage I or II tumors, but only 27% of patients with type III cancer had this tumor stage (P < .05). Overall 30-day mortality was 4% and morbidity was 31%. Curative resections were performed in 73% (54 of 74) of the patients with 3-year survival rates of 72% (type I), 68% (type II), and 61% (type III). CONCLUSION: The recommended therapy for the different types of cancer of the cardia results in acceptable morbidity, mortality, and survival rates.     

Self-expanding stents for the palliation of esophageal and gastric cardia cancer

Twenty-one endoscopic tube implantations were carried out in 24 patients with malignant stenosis of esophagus and gastric cardia using self-expanding metallic stents. The indications to endoscopic intubation were advanced stage of the tumor in 17 cases and risk factors which made resection inadvisable in 7 cases. In 3 patients it proved impossible to implant a stent endoscopically because the Authors were not able to pass the guide wire through the stenosis, while correct stent placement was achieved in 21 patients. Functional results were good in 18 patients, while 3 patients did not have any improvement of symptoms. Complications occurred in 9 patients (42.85%): 2 bleedings, 3 neoplastic obstructions, 1 food obstruction and 3 distal dislodgements of the prostheses were observed, but could readily be corrected. No death occurred. The median survival time was 151 days (range 25-545). This study suggests that endoscopic placement of metallic self-expanding stents is safe and has to be preferred to plastic stents for easier implantation and lower morbidity.     

Results of irradiation treatment in patients with non-resectable oesophageal cancer

Forty-eight patients with non-resectable cancer of the oesophagus and oesophagogastric junction (Group A: Stage I/II, 32; Group B: Stage III/IV, 16) underwent intraluminal Iridium-192 high dose-rate afterloading therapy (5-7 Gy/session, total dose: 5-21 Gy, mean: 12.4 Gy) and external beam irradiation (Karnofsky > or = 80% 50-60 Gy/2 Gy per day; Karnofsky 60-79%: 30 Gy/3 Gy per day). Durable satisfactory palliation (intake of at least semi-solid food) was demonstrated in 96% of patients. The mean survival for group A was 19.1 months and that for group B, 6.9 months, with a 12-month survival rate of 66% (group A) and 0% (group B) (P < 0.001). Local tumour response and complication rate were significantly dose-related with a predicted response rate of 70.5%, and a complication rate of 50% at ERD 129.3 Gy.     

Results of esophageal cancer surgical treatment in multiple primary neoplasms

Available are the results of surgical treatment of 11 patients with cancer of the esophagus revealed metachronously through 6 months--3 years after treatment of oro-pharyngeolaryngeal cancer (5 patients) and diagnosed synchronously with cancer of the stomach (3 patients), the lung (2 patients) and leiomyoma of the esophagus (1 patient). Radical operations on the esophagus were performed in all the patients, in synchronous tumors they were one-stage surgical intervention. Postoperative complications such as pneumonia were observed in the majority of patients, who previously underwent radiation or combined treatment for laryngeal cancer, as well as in all patients, who were operated on the esophagus and the lung in one stage. The necessity of active bronchial sanation in pre- and postoperative period of patients after treatment of laryngeal cancer and advisability of two-stage surgical treatment of synchronous tumors of the esophagus and the lung, the operation for lung cancer being performed at the second stage of treatment, are stressed in conclusion. In synchronous involvement of the esophagus and the stomach one-stage intervention on these organs is the most advisable.     

The value of extensive lymphadenectomy in cancer of the lower esophagus and cardia

Between 1980 and 1997, 1194 patients with a malignant tumor of the lower esophagus have been observed and treated in our Institution. There were 555 patients (46.5%) presenting with squamous-cell carcinoma, 101 (8.5%), with Barrett's adenocarcinoma and 538 (45%) with cardia adenocarcinoma. Most patient underwent a transthoracic esophagectomy with esophagogastroplasty; transhiatal approach was mainly reserved to high-risk patients. Over the past two years sixty-three patients (42 with adenocarcinoma and 21 with squamous cell carcinoma) underwent enlarged mediastinal lymphadenectomy. Three patients (4.7%) died post-operatively: one sepsis, in pulmonary embolism and one myocardial infarction. Four patients (6.3%) developed pulmonary complications: no patient had recuriential palsy. Pathologic exam revealed 1342 nodes (807 thoracic and 827 abdominal). Twenty patients (31.7%) had mediastinal nodal metastases, of which 8 in the upper mediastinum. Median follow-up was 19 months (2-36 months). Seven of the sixteen patients with recurrent disease (12 systemic, 3 mediastinal and 1 anastomotic) died. The number of metastatic nodes increased with serial section and even more with immunohistochemical staining technique (from 11.7% to 13% to 15.5%, respectively). Two patients were up-staged from M0 to M1 because of peripancreatic nodal micrometastases. We conclude that enlarged mediastinal lymphadenectomy allowed to detect upper mediastinal lymph node metastases in 12.8% of patients without increasing post-operative complication rate. A longer follow-up is required to evaluate the impact on long term survival.     

Adenocarcinoma of the gastric cardia

Although adenocarcinoma of the stomach has decreased in incidence over the past several decades, cancer of the gastric cardia has increased rapidly over this time frame. There are several differences between adenocarcinoma of the cardia and distal stomach with respect to epidemiology, risk factors, and prognosis. In addition, recent data raise questions with regard to possible associations of cardia cancer with Barrett's esophagus, intestinal metaplasia of the cardia, and Helicobacter pylori. This article will review the current literature with regard to this important tumor and explore these potential disease associations.     

Results of treatment of oral cavity mucosa cancer according to the data of the regional oncological clinic

A clinicofunctional examination of 72 patients with toxic diphtheria (mean age 36.8 +/- 7.1 years) has been made to study the course and outcome of diphtheria-related damage to the heart. It is shown that clinical symptoms of myocarditis became more prominent with growing severity of diphtheric infection and evidenced for diffuse affection of the left ventricle. EchoCG detected defective systolic function which in patients with unfavorable prognosis was associated with thickening of the myocardium and dilatation of the left ventricular chamber. 24-h Holter monitoring registered shifts in the end part of the ECG ventricular complex and various abnomalities in the heart rhythm. Focal myocardial lesions manifested with supraventricular and solitary ventricular extrasystoles. In diffuse myocarditis frequent ventricular extrasystoles prevailed. At autopsy, structural myocardial changes in toxic diphtheria were confirmed.     

Radical surgical treatment of epidermoid vulvar cancer. Results of ten years experience

Hepatic artery aneurysms are infrequent vascular lesions, difficult to diagnose preoperatively manifesting themselves usually by acute rupture. We report our experience in both diagnosis and surgical treatment of 3 cases. The selective angiograph of the celiac tripod and of superior mesenteric artery, is an indispensable means able, not only to put forward a certain diagnosis, but also to supply precious notions on the possibilities of compensation on the side of the collateral circle and of consequence, to suggest operative tactics. Surgical management may range from the simple binding to the reconstruction of the hepatic arterial axis by means of prosthesis grafts and if possible to the simple excision and termino-terminal regraft.     

Palliative treatment of adenocarcinoma of the cardia: is there a role for surgery?

OBJECTIVES: The value of palliative surgery for adenocarcinoma of the cardia (AC) is controversial, and specific studies are lacking. The aim of this study was to report the results of a palliative resection for AC in 69 patients. METHODS: From 1980 to 1993, 69 patients (mean age 59 +/- 10 years) underwent a palliative resection for AC. Palliative resection was defined by macroscopically incomplete resection, tumoral involvement of resection margins, visceral or serosal metastasis, or N3 metastatic nodes. Patients were classified according to the diagnosis of palliation established preoperatively (group A, n = 26), peroperatively (group B, n = 35), or postoperatively (group C, n = 8) respectively. RESULTS: Six patients (8.7%) died postoperatively. Mortality rates were 3.8%, 8.6% and 25% in groups A, B and C, respectively. Twenty one patients (30%) had postoperative non-fatal complications. Median global survival was 9 months (mean 11 +/- 7 months) without significant difference between groups A, B and C. Forty-four out of 51 patients (86%) followed until death did not have dysphagia. The other patients were free of dysphagia during an average of 70% of the follow-up duration. Among the 14 patients surviving postoperatively with a tumoral esophageal margin, none experienced dysphagia from anastomotic recurrence during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: In selected patients with AC, a palliative resection can be achieved with an acceptable mortality and a very good functional result. This result can justify a prospective comparison between palliative surgery and alternative treatments.