Surgery and stenting for oesophageal cancer

• Published in: Tidsskrift for den Norske Lægeforening Vol. 125; no. 3; pp. 286 - 288
• Main Authors: Johnson, Egil, Gjerlaug, Bjørg Eline, Holck-Steen, Anne, Johannessen, Hans-Olaf, Carlsen, Erik, Enden, Tone, Noreng, Hans Jørgen, Drolsum, Anders
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Norwegian
• Published: Norway 03.02.2005
• Subjects: Adenocarcinoma - mortality; Adenocarcinoma - surgery; Adult; Aged; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - mortality; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - surgery; Esophageal Neoplasms - mortality; Esophageal Neoplasms - pathology; Esophageal Neoplasms - surgery; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Postoperative Complications - diagnosis; Postoperative Complications - mortality; Prognosis; Retrospective Studies; Stents; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0807-7096

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of surgery and stenting for operable and inoperable oesophageal cancer. Retrospective patient materials with resection (n = 65, 1983-2002) or stenting (n = 59, 1994-2003) for primary oesophageal cancer. Mortality after surgery was 11% and 15% of the patients were re-operated. 36 (55%) had complications such as respiratory failure (n = 33), anastomotic dehiscence/perforation (n = 4), chylothorax (n = 1), haemorrhage (n = 3), wound rupture (n = 1), septicaemia (n = 2), arrhythmia (n = 4) and wound infection (n = 5). Median survival after surgery was 11 months. Survival after three years was 17%, after five years 8%. The stent procedure was without mortality but haemorrhage (n = 1) and stent dislocation (n = 2) occurred. 8 patients (14%) were re-stented for tumour stenosis (n = 6), fistula (n = 2) and dislocation (n = 1). Median survival after stenting was 78 days. Survival after 30 days was 80%, after one year 7%. Resectable oesophageal cancer should be operated in fit patients, as survival is improved and some patients can be cured. Stenting is the main option in inoperable patients.