Surgical treatment for carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus with major involvement in the neck or upper mediastinum

Background and Objectives In carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus, most surgeons consider that esophagectomy is contraindicated in patients with clinical evidence of major extraesophageal involvement in the lower neck or peritracheal regions. However, metastases to these regions are commonly found even in early phases of carcinoma invasion. With recent progress in preoperative assessment, operative technique and adjuvant therapy, esophagectomy could possibly benefit appropriately selected patients. Methods We retrospectively analyzed results in 42 patients who had major involvement in the neck or upper mediastinum and who underwent esophagectomy with systematic lymph node dissection. We operated upon patients unless lesions were assessed as definitely unresectable. Preoperatively, 32 had enlarged peritracheal nodes greater than 15 mm in diameter on computed tomography, 18 had hard unmobile tumors in the lower neck, 9 had recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy, and 10 had findings suggestive of tracheal invasion. Preoperative radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy was given to 32 low‐risk patients. Results The hospital mortality rate was 4%. Bowel reconstruction was completed in all cases. No macroscopically recognizable lesion remained after operation in 35 patients. Eight patients were alive 5 years after esophagectomy, including 2 who had had tracheal invasion and 1 with recurrent nerve palsy. The cumulative 5‐year survival was 38%. Conclusions Evidence of major involvement of the neck and/or upper mediastinum does not always contraindicate resection. Aggressive esophagectomy combined with perioperative adjuvant therapy yielded acceptable palliation and occasional cure in cases with technically resectable lesions. J. Surg. Oncol. 1998;67:6–10. ©1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.