Influence of preoperative chemotherapy for advanced thoracic oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma on perioperative complications

• Published in: British journal of surgery Vol. 98; no. 12; pp. 1735 - 1741
• Main Authors: Hirao, M., Ando, N., Tsujinaka, T., Udagawa, H., Yano, M., Yamana, H., Nagai, K., Mizusawa, J., Nakamura, K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01.12.2011; Wiley
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - drug therapy; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - pathology; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - surgery; Combined Modality Therapy - methods; Esophageal Neoplasms - drug therapy; Esophageal Neoplasms - pathology; Esophageal Neoplasms - surgery; Esophagectomy - methods; Esophagus; Female; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; General aspects; Humans; Intraoperative Complications - etiology; Lymph Node Excision - methods; Lymphatic Metastasis; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Postoperative Complications - etiology; Preoperative Care - methods; Risk Factors; Thoracotomy - methods; Treatment Outcome; Tumors; Esophageal disease; Esophagus squamous cell carcinoma; Thorax; Malignant tumor; Esophagus cancer; Medicine; Perioperative; Chemotherapy; Treatment; Surgery; Digestive diseases; Complication; Advanced stage; Preoperative; Cancer
• ISSN: 0007-1323; 1365-2168
• DOI: 10.1002/bjs.7683

Background: The Japan Clinical Oncology Group (JCOG) 9907 trial has changed the standard of care for advanced thoracic oesophageal cancer in Japan from postoperative chemotherapy to preoperative chemotherapy. The impact of preoperative chemotherapy on the risk of developing postoperative complications remains controversial. This article reports the safety analysis of JCOG9907, focusing on risk factors for postoperative complications. Methods: Patients with potentially resectable advanced thoracic oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma were randomized to either postoperative or preoperative chemotherapy followed by transthoracic oesophagectomy with D2–3 lymphadenectomy. Chemotherapy consisted of two cycles of cisplatin and 5‐fluorouracil. Clinical baseline data, intraoperative complications, postoperative complications and in‐hospital mortality, collected on the case report forms in a predetermined format, were analysed. Univariable and multivariable analyses were used to explore the risk of postoperative complications in relation to treatment group, age, sex, tumour depth, nodal metastasis, stage and location. Results: Of 330 patients randomized, 166 were assigned to receive postoperative chemotherapy and 164 preoperative chemotherapy; 162 and 154 patients respectively underwent surgery. The incidence of intraoperative complications, postoperative complications and in‐hospital mortality was similarly low in both groups. Multivariable analysis showed that age, sex and tumour location were independently associated with an increase in postoperative complications, but preoperative chemotherapy was not. Conclusion: Preoperative chemotherapy does not increase the risk of complications or hospital mortality after surgery for advanced thoracic oesophageal cancer. Registration number: NCT00190554 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov). Copyright © 2011 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Does not increase post‐op complications