Adenosquamous Carcinoma of the Esophagus and Esophagogastric Junction: Clinical Manifestations and Treatment Outcomes

Clinical-Pathological Characteristics of Adenosquamous Esophageal Carcinoma: A Propensity-Score-Matching Study

There are few studies on esophageal adenosquamous carcinoma (ADSC). Our study intended to investigate the clinical and survival features of ADSC. We included esophageal cancer (EC) data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program database to explore clinical and survival traits. Propensity score matching (PSM), the multivariate Cox regression model, and survival curves were used in this study. A total of 137 patients with ADSC were included in our analysis. The proportion of ADSC within the EC cohort declined from 2004 to 2018. Besides, results indicated no significant difference in survival between ADSC and SCC groups (PSM-adjusted HR = 1.249, P = 0.127). However, the survival rate of the ADSC group was significantly worse than that of the ADC group (PSM-adjusted HR = 1.497, P = 0.007). For the ADSC group, combined treatment with surgery had a higher survival rate than other treatment methods (all P < 0.001). Surgical resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy were independent protective prognostic factors (all P < 0.05). The proportion of ADSC has been declining from 2004 to 2018. The prognosis of ADSC is not significantly different from that of SCC but is worse than that of ADC. Surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy could improve the prognosis of patients. Comprehensive treatment with surgery as the main treatment is more beneficial for some patients.

Perineural Invasion Is a Significant Indicator of High Malignant Degree and Poor Prognosis in Esophageal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Perineural invasion (PNI) is a malignant metastatic mode of tumors and has been reported in many tumors including esophageal cancer (EC). However, the role of PNI in EC has been reported differently. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to focus on the role of PNI in EC.

Methods

Eight databases of CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, Scopus, Wiley, ISI, PubMed, and EBSCO are used for literature search. The association of PNI with gender, pathological stages of T and N (pT and pN), lymphovascular invasion (LVI), lymph node metastasis, 5-year overall survival (OS), and 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) was examined in the meta-analysis by Revman5.0 Software. The pooled OR/HR and 95% CI were used to assess the risk and prognostic value.

Results

Sixty-nine published studies were screened for analysis of PNI in EC. The incidence of PNI in esophageal squamous carcinoma (ESCC) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) was different, but not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The PNI-positive patients had a significantly higher risk of pT stage (OR = 3.85, 95% CI = 2.45–6.05, p < 0.00001), pN stage (OR = 1.86, 95% CI = 1.52–2.28, p < 0.00001), LVI (OR = 2.44, 95% CI = 1.55–3.85, p = 0.0001), and lymph node metastasis (OR = 2.87, 95% CI = 1.56–5.29, p = 0.0007). Furthermore, the cumulative analysis revealed a significant correlation between PNI and poor OS (HR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.24–1.51, p < 0.0001), as well as poor DFS (HR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.38–1.74, p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

PNI occurrence is significantly related to tumor stage, LVI, lymph node metastasis, OS, and DFS. These results indicate that PNI can serve as an indicator of high malignant degree and poor prognosis in EC.

Surgical resection for esophageal adenosquamous carcinoma: an analysis of 56 cases

BACKGROUND

Esophageal adenosquamous carcinoma (EASC) is a rare disease. The biological behavior and treatment of this malignancy are not well studied.

METHODS

Data from 56 patients with EASC who underwent esophagectomy were retrospectively analyzed and compared with 5028 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The impact of clinicopathological factors on the survival of patients with EASC was analyzed. The survival differences between patients with EASC and ESCC were also compared.

RESULTS

There were 43 males and 13 females with a mean age of 59.7 ± 1.3 years (range, 39-79 years). Only 1 of the 43 patients who received preoperative esophagoscopic biopsy was diagnosed with EASC. The median survival time for patients with EASC was 32.0 months, and the 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 78.3%, 46.1%, and 29.6%, respectively. Resection margin, pN category, and adjuvant chemotherapy were found to be independent predictors. After 1:1 propensity score matching, the 5-year overall survival rate of 29.6% for patients with EASC was similar to that of 42.5% for patients with ESCC (P = 0.179).

CONCLUSIONS

EASC is a rare disease and is easily misdiagnosed by esophagoscopic biopsy. The prognosis of EASC was similar to that of ESCC. Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy may improve the survival of patients with EASC after esophagectomy.

Clinical Characteristics, Prognosis, and Nomogram for Esophageal Cancer Based on Adenosquamous Carcinoma: A SEER Database Analysis

Objective: Esophageal adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) is a rare pathological type of cancer. Its clinical features and prognosis is poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to identify the characteristics of ASC patients and analyze the risk factors of esophageal carcinoma.

Methods: Patients with esophageal cancer in the SEER database diagnosed from 1975–2016 were obtained. The epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and outcomes between these three groups were compared. The nomogram and online dynamic nomogram were constructed according to the Cox proportional hazard model.

Results: The age-adjusted incidences of AC (1975–1999), AC (1999–2016), and ASC (1975–1989) increased over time (p < 0.05). Age-adjusted incidences of SqCC (1986–2012) and ASC (1989–2016) decreased (p < 0.05). Survival of patients with ASC was significantly worse when compared to AC and SqCC (ASC vs. AC, p < 0.001, ASC vs. SqCC, p = 0.01). ASC, older age, black race, male, overlapping site, higher tumor grade, lymph node metastasis, and a higher summary stage or AJCC stage were considered to be risk factors for a poor survival in the multivariate Cox analysis. The ROC curves and AUC indicated that the model has a good discrimination ability (AUC were 0.774 for a 3-year OS and 0.782 for a 5-year OS). An online dynamic nomogram was built based on the Cox proportional hazard model for convenient clinical use.

Conclusions: ASC is somewhat closer to AC rather than SqCC in terms of the demographics and tumor site, but has a worse OS than both AC and SqCC.

Adenosquamous Carcinoma of the Esophagus: A Literature Review

Adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) of the esophagus is an uncommon type of esophageal cancer that contains both adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma elements. Data on this biologically unique type of cancer are limited and mainly stem from case reports and small case series. We performed an audit of the available literature and synthesized a review on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, histopathology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of ASCs. Adenosquamous carcinoma of the esophagus is a rare type of esophageal cancer. Histological examination is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of ASC and patients usually receive multimodal treatment. Patient outcomes are not well defined and further research could help us better understand the pathophysiology and unique needs of patients with this rare malignancy.

Primary adenosquamous carcinoma of the esophagus: an analysis of 39 cases

BACKGROUND

Adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) of the esophagus is an uncommon type of malignant esophageal neoplasm containing both squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocacinoma (AC) components. The aim of this study was to explore the clinical characteristics and prognosis of esophageal ASC.

METHODS

A retrospective review of esophageal ASC patients who underwent transthoracic esophagectomy with lymphadenectomy in our hospital from July 2007 to April 2014.

RESULTS

A total of 39 (1.0%) esophageal ASC patients among 3855 patients with esophageal cancers were collected to analyze. There were 34 men and 5 women with a median age of 61.0 years (range from 39-85). Median follow-up time was 30.0 months and median survival time was 44.4 months. The 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 82.1%, 51.6% and 37.5%, respectively. Compared to esophageal SCC and AC, there were no significant difference in survive time (P=0.616). Thirty five (92.1%) of the 38 patients who underwent preoperative endoscopic biopsy were misdiagnosed, mostly as SCC. Fifteen patients (38.5%) were found to have lymph node metastasis. Thirty two patients (82.1%) had a poorly differentiated or undifferentiated tumor. According to the 2009 American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, 3 patients were at Stage I, 21 patients at Stage II and 15 patients at Stage III. In univariate analysis, pT stage, lymph node metastasis and pTNM Stage significantly influenced survive time. In multivariate analysis, however, only lymph node metastasis (P=0.003; 95% CI: 1.626-10.972) was found to be the independent prognostic factor.

CONCLUSIONS

Primary ASC of the esophagus is a rare disease with difficultly to be histologically confirmed by endoscopic biopsy. The prognosis of esophageal ASC was no worse than esophageal SCC and AC. Lymph node metastasis is the most influent prognostic factor. The TNM staging system of esophageal SCC is applicable for esophageal ASC.

Prognostic Value of Perineural Invasion in Esophageal and Esophagogastric Junction Carcinoma: A Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

Here we aimed to clarify the prognostic significance of perineural invasion (PNI) in esophageal and esophagogastric junction (EGJ) carcinoma.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search for relevant reports published up to July 2015 was performed using Pubmed and Embase databases. The pooled HR and 95% CI for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were used to assess the prognostic value. The association of PNI with pathological characteristics was evaluated by OR and 95% CI.

RESULTS

A total of 13 cohorts were retrieved, covering 2770 patients treated by surgery. The cumulative analysis revealed a statistical correlation between PNI and poor OS (HR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.54-2.20, and P < 0.00001), as well as poor DFS (HR = 1.96, 95% CI: 1.42-2.71, and P < 0.001). Moreover, analysis of 1475 patients showed improved PNI in T3 + T4 (OR = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.21-0.70, and P = 0.002), N+ (OR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.40-0.69, and P < 0.00001), and G3 + G4 (OR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.48-0.90, and P = 0.008) patients compared with T1 + T2, N-, and G1 + G2 ones, respectively. No significant heterogeneity was found between the studies.

CONCLUSIONS

PNI is an adverse prognostic biomarker in esophageal and EGJ carcinoma. Moreover, PNI implies advanced T, N stage and poor cell differentiation.