Post-esophagectomy Adjuvant Chemotherapy Benefits Esophageal Cancer Patients

Adjuvant treatment patterns for pT3N0M0 esophageal cancer undergoing surgery

To assess adjuvant treatment patterns on survival in patients with pT3N0M0 esophageal cancer who underwent esophagectomy without neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Stage pT3N0M0 esophageal cancer patients were assessed between 2000 and 2020 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results databases. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to compare overall survival (OS) among various treatment patterns. We identified 445 patients: 252 (56.6%) received surgery alone, 85 (19.1%) received surgery+chemoradiotherapy, 80 (18.0%) underwent surgery+chemotherapy, and 28 (6.3%) received surgery+ radiotherapy. For squamous cell carcinoma, surgery+chemoradiotherapy ([hazard ratio] HR = 1.04, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.65-1.66; P = 0.873), surgery+chemotherapy (HR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.42-1.22; P = 0.221), and surgery+radiotherapy (HR = 1.33, 95% CI: 0.74-2.39; P = 0.341) had similar OS compared to surgery alone. For adenocarcinoma, surgery+chemoradiotherapy (HR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.36-0.74; P < 0.001) and surgery+chemotherapy (HR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.42-0.87; P = 0.006) had better OS compared to surgery alone. However, surgery+radiotherapy had a comparable OS (HR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.44-1.49; P = 0.495).Adjuvant treatments did not improve survival in stage pT3N0M0 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients. In contrast, adjuvant chemoradiotherapy and chemotherapy were recommended for esophageal adenocarcinoma patients.

Optimal extent of lymphadenectomy improves prognosis and guides adjuvant chemotherapy in esophageal cancer: A propensity score-matched analysis

BACKGROUND

The optimal extent of lymphadenectomy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients remained debatable.

AIM

To explore the ideal number of cleared lymph nodes in ESCC patients undergoing upfront surgery.

METHODS

In this retrospective, propensity score-matched study, we included 1042 ESCC patients who underwent esophagectomy from November 2008 and October 2019. Patients who underwent neoadjuvant therapy were excluded. We collected patients' clinicopathological features and information regarding lymph nodes, including the total number of resected lymph nodes (NRLN), and pathologically diagnosed positive lymph nodes (RPLN). SPSS and R software were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Among the included 1042 patients, two cohorts: ≤ 21 (n = 664) and > 21 NRLN (n = 378) were identified. The final prognostic model included four variables: T stage, N, venous thrombus, and the number of removed lymph nodes. Among them, NRLN > 21 was determined as an independent prognosticator after surgery for esophageal cancer (hazards regression = 0.66, 95% confidence interval: 0.50-0.87, P = 0.004). A nomogram was created based on the regression coefficients of the variables in the final model. In the training cohort, the predictive model displayed an uncorrected five-year overall survival C-index of 0.659, with a bootstrap-corrected C-index of 0.654. In the subgroup analysis, adjuvant chemotherapy was beneficial in the subgroup with NRLN > 21 and RPLN ≤ 0.16 and NRLN ≤ 21 and RPLN > 0.16.

CONCLUSION

NRLN > 21 was an independent prognostic factor after ESCC surgery. The combination of NRLN and RPLN may provide a reference for adjuvant chemotherapy use in potential beneficiaries.

The effectiveness of adjuvant treatment approaches for resectable esophageal cancer: A single-center experience

AIMS AND BACKGROUND

In general, neoadjuvant treatment is the standard for clinical stage II/III esophageal cancer (EC), whereas the effect of adjuvant treatment on survival still remains controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of adjuvant treatment modalities on the survival of EC patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 63 patients with stage II-IVA EC who had undergone curative surgery between the years 2002 and 2020 were included in the study. Patients' data were retrospectively collected from oncologic follow-up files. Various treatment regimens were administered during this period, including chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy.

RESULTS

The median age was 56 years (24-73), and the number of males was slightly higher than females (male/female: 33/30). While 32 (51%) patients received postoperative adjuvant treatment, the remaining 31 (49%) patients underwent surgery alone. The median overall survival (OS) was 45.9 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 25.1-66.8) in patients receiving adjuvant therapy and 37.6 months (95% CI: 20.9-54.4) in patients not receiving adjuvant therapy. The 8.3-month survival difference was statistically insignificant (P = 0.54). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 87.5% versus 77.4%, 58.4% versus 51.6%, and 40.8% versus 27.6% for patients with and without adjuvant therapy, respectively. Pathological stage (P = 0.028) and lymph node status (P = 0.044) were significant prognostic factors for survival.

CONCLUSIONS

This study did not support the benefit of adjuvant treatment compared with surgery alone in completely resected EC patients. The reason for this result may be related to the small sample size and different treatment regimens due to the change in treatment options over time.

Adjuvant chemotherapy for lymph node positive esophageal squamous cell cancer: The prediction role of low mean platelet volume

Background

This study aimed to examine whether MPV is a useful prognostic marker and investigated whether MPV is a risk factor that helps identify patients with locally advanced-stage ESCC who will most likely benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy.

Methods

Patients (n =1690) with histologically confirmed ESCC were diagnosed with locally advanced stage (pT3-4N0M0 and pT1-4N+M0) at Sichuan Cancer Hospital from 2009 to 2017. Clinicopathological factors and platelet-related values were tested for their associations with survival using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. The optimal cut-off value for continuous variables was determined using the 'maxstat' R package. The KM curve continuous variable analysis was performed to identify the optimal cut-off value for MPV. Cumulative survival rates were determined using the Kaplan-Meier estimator and compared using the log-rank test. The survival analysis was performed using the 'survival' R package. All statistical analyses were performed using R software 4.1.3 (https://www.r-project.org/), and a two-sided p-value <0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance.

Results

Multivariate analysis indicated that low MPV was an important risk factor for overall survival in locally advanced ESCC, independent of classic clinicopathological factors. The optimal cut-off value of MPV (11.8 fL) was used to stratify high-risk patients. Patients with low mean platelet volumes had a worse prognosis than those with larger platelet volumes, according to Kaplan-Meier analysis and the log-rank test. Patients diagnosed with a pathological lymph node-positive stage with a low MPV (≤11.8 fL) benefited from postoperative chemotherapy, but not those with a high-level MPV (>11.8 fL).

Conclusion

MPV served as an independent predictor of prognosis of locally advanced-stage ESCC and predicted a survival benefit conferred by postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy in lymph node-positive ESCC.

Effect of the Age-Adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index on the Survival of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients after Radical Esophagectomy

We aimed to investigate whether the age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (ACCI) can predict the postoperative overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients. Between 1 July 2015 and 31 July 2021, a retrospective cohort study was conducted among patients with primary ESCC who underwent radical esophagectomy. A total of 352 patients were included, with median age of 63.00 (IQR (interquartile range) 56.00-68.00). The patients were divided into low (n = 300) and high (n = 52) ACCI groups based on the optimal cut-off value of 5 points. Chronic pulmonary disease (38.4%) was the most common comorbidity. The results of the multivariate Cox regression showed that the ACCI (HR = 1.63, 95%CI: 1.04-2.56), tumor size (HR = 1.67, 95%CI: 1.05-2.66), pTNM (II vs. I, HR = 4.74, 95%CI: 1.82-12.32; III vs. I, HR = 6.08, 95%CI: 2.37-15.60), and postoperative chemotherapy (HR = 0.60, 95%CI: 0.40-0.91) were significantly associated with the OS. Furthermore, the ACCI, tumor size, pTNM, and postoperative chemotherapy were also significantly associated with the CSS. Interactions were identified between the ACCI and postoperative chemotherapy, pTNM stage, and tumor size in relation to the OS and CSS. In conclusion, the ACCI may be an independent prognostic factor affecting the long-term prognosis of patients after radical esophagectomy.

The Role of Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients with Pathological Positive Lymph Nodes After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Followed by Esophagectomy: a Single Institute Retrospective Analysis

The need for adjuvant therapy after radical resection for patients with stage II–III thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (TESCC) who have undergone neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) has not been determined. Since recurrence can occur after radical resection and since the prognosis is still poor, it is necessary to consider additional treatment strategies, including adjuvant chemotherapy. We retrospectively investigated the significance of adjuvant therapy after NAC followed by radical resection for TESCC. Between 2008 and 2018, 115 patients with clinical stage II–III underwent radical subtotal esophagectomy after neoadjuvant therapy. Among them, 62 were analyzed, excluding patients with T4 tumors and patients who had undergone R plus resection or who were receiving preoperative chemoradiotherapy. We compared patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy with those who only received observation; we examined overall survival (OS) and recurrence rates. Twenty-nine patients (46.7%) had lymph node metastasis, 12 of whom received adjuvant chemotherapy (41.3%). The recurrence rates for patients with and without lymph node metastasis were 55.1 % and 15.1%, respectively (p = 0.0022). Among patients with lymph node metastasis, there was no significant difference in the recurrence rate (p = 0.9270) or OS (p = 0.5416) based on the administration of adjuvant chemotherapy. However, in 15 patients with two or more positive lymph nodes, adjuvant chemotherapy increased OS (p = 0.0404). Adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with improved OS in clinical stage II–III TESCC patients with two or more pathological positive lymph nodes after NAC followed by radical surgery.

Pyk2 level is a novel prognostic marker for patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after radical surgery

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in East Asia. Surgical resection is currently the typical treatment. However, due to the highly invasive and metastatic characteristic of the disease, the mortality rate is still high. A search for potential prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets is very necessary. Here, we studied the expression of proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2), a non-receptor tyrosine protein kinase, in ESCC and its influence on prognosis. A total of 112 cases of ESCC and paired adjacent normal tissues (NT) were organized in tissue microarray (TMA) from the Nantong First People's Hospital. Our analysis of TMA revealed that Pyk2 levels were higher in ESCC than in paired adjacent NT by immunohistochemistry (p<0.001). Western blot and real-time quantitative PCR analysis (p=0.0359) also reached similar conclusions. To further explore the significance of Pyk2 in ESCC, another set of tissue microarrays was collected from the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, which includes 241 consecutive patients undergoing radical surgery for ESCC, to perform IHC scores. We demonstrated that the expression level of Pyk2 was positively correlated with N stage (node negative versus node positive, p=0.02) and clinical stage (I + II versus III + IV, p=0.042). Univariate and multivariate analyses suggested that high Pyk2 expression was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival with ESCC. Cell function studies found that Pyk2 promoted tumor proliferation and migration and reduced apoptosis. Pyk2 knockdown enhanced the sensitivity to cisplatin in ESCC cells. Western blot analysis confirmed that Pyk2 may promote tumor progression by activating the Akt signaling pathway.

Role of chemotherapy after curative esophagectomy in squamous cell carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus: A propensity score-matched analysis

BACKGROUND

The efficacy of postoperative treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus has not yet been determined. In this retrospective study, we investigated whether postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy (POCT) confers a survival benefit on patients who undergo curative esophagectomy.

METHODS

A total of 782 patients were enrolled in our study. The patients were divided into surgery alone (S) and surgery plus postoperative chemotherapy (S + POCT) groups. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to eliminate the differences in baseline characteristics. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS), which was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with the log-rank test. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify factors influencing the prognosis.

RESULTS

Of 782 patients, 343 (43.9%) underwent S alone, and 439 (56.1%) underwent S + POCT before PSM. The five-year OS rates were 42.3% and 47.8% in the S and S + POCT groups (p = 0.080), respectively. After PSM (296 patients per group), the five-year OS rates were 48.7% and 56.2% in the S and S + POCT groups (p = 0.025), respectively. For different cycles of POCT, patients with more than three cycles had a better survival than those with less than three cycles. The significant predictive factors for OS were pN stage (HR = 1.861, 95% CI: 1.310-2.645, p = 0.001), number of dissected nodes (HR = 0.621, 95% CI: 0.494-0.781, p < 0.001) and POCT received (HR = 0.699, 95% CI: 0.559-0.875, p = 0.002), which were identified by multivariate Cox regression analyses in the matched samples.

CONCLUSIONS

POCT appears to improve the OS rate of patients with ESCC after resection, and at least four chemotherapy cycles are necessary. These conclusions warrant further confirmation in large-scale multicenter randomized controlled trials.

Correlates of Long-Term Survival of Patients with pN+ Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma after Esophagectomy

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the most common pathological type of esophageal cancer in China. Patients with ESCC have poor long-term survival, especially those with lymphatic metastasis (pN + ESCC). In this retrospective study, we evaluated the correlates of long-term survival time of patients with pN + ESCC. A total of 453 patients with pN + ESCC who underwent surgical R0 resection between Jan 2008 and Sep 2011 were enrolled. The follow-up ended on December 2019. The clinical, pathological, inflammation-related factors and general survival data of these patients were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 software. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 73.7%, 34.6%, and 25.6%, respectively; the 1-, 3-, and 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 45.0%, 26.3%, and 20.4%, respectively. The median OS and DFS were 23 and 14 months, respectively. On multivariate analyses, gender, site of lesion, number of dissected lymph nodes, stage pTNM, adjuvant therapy, and neutrophil lymphocyte ratio were independent predictors of OS. Site of lesion, stage pTNM, and adjuvant therapy were independent predictors of DFS. Recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) scores of each patient were calculated based on the independent predictors of OS, and the patients were divided into 3 classes: low-risk, medium-risk, and high-risk. The OS, DFS, and local recurrence-free survival were significantly different among these three RPA classes (P < 0.001). Several factors showed an independent association with long-term postoperative survival of pN + ESCC patients after radical surgery. RPA scores can potentially be used to predict the prognosis of ESCC.

Postoperative Adjuvant Therapy for Patients with pN+ Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the most common pathological type of esophageal cancer in China. However, patient survival time after surgery remains unsatisfactory, especially in those who are pN+. This retrospective study determined the value of postoperative adjuvant therapy for patients with pN+ ESCC. From Jan 2008 to Sep 2011, 453 pN+ ESCC patients who underwent R0 resection and survived for at least 1 month were retrospectively enrolled. All patients received surgery. Some patients received surgery alone (SA, n = 131), and others received postoperative chemotherapy (POCT, n = 222), radiotherapy (PORT, n = 57), or sequential chemoradiotherapy (POCRT, n = 43). The follow-up ended on 1 Dec 2019. The 5-year overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and locoregional recurrence (LR) were significantly worse in the SA group (15.2%, 13.1%, and 71.6%, all p < 0.05) than in the POCT group (28.0%, 20.8%, and 66.5%), the PORT group (27.4%, 24.4%, and 46.9%), and the POCRT group (42.8%, 35.5%, and 43.0%). Furthermore, compared with the SA group, the median OS and DFS were significantly longer in the POCT, PORT, and POCRT groups (all p < 0.05). PORT and POCRT (but not POCT) also significantly reduced the LR (p < 0.01). Multivariate Cox analysis showed that each type of postoperative therapy was independently associated with improvements in OS, DFS, and LR. Postoperative adjuvant therapy—either POCT, PORT, or POCRT—significantly improved OS and DFS in patients with pN+ ESCC after R0 surgery. PORT and PORCT significantly reduced LR in these patients.

Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy for patients with pathologic node-positive esophageal cancer following radical resection is associated with improved survival

Background

Depending on the pathological stage, patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) can experience poor prognosis after surgery. This study was designed to analyze the effect of various treatments on prognosis in pathologic node-positive esophageal cancer patients who undergo radical surgery.

Methods

We evaluated 210 pathologic stage IIb–IIIc patients (pT1-4aN + M0) who had undergone esophagectomy for thoracic ESCC from January 2013 to October 2015 at our institute. Surgery alone was applied in 65 patients, postoperative chemotherapy alone was applied in 112 patients, and postoperative adjuvant chemoradiotherapy was applied in 33 patients. Kaplan­-Meier and Cox regression analysis were used to compare overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). A nomogram was constructed to visualize the multivariate Cox regression analysis model.

Results

The median follow-up period was 49.4 months. The 3- and 5-year OS rates of the patients in the surgery group, postoperative chemotherapy group, postoperative chemoradiotherapy group were 55.4%, 61.6%, and 75.8%, and 30.1%, 44.0%, and 63.0% respectively. The 3- and 5-year DFS rates of the patients in the surgery group, postoperative chemotherapy group, postoperative chemoradiotherapy group were 44.6%, 52.7%, and 72.7%, and 20.0%, 24.1%, and 39.4%, respectively. Both the OS and DFS of the patients in the postoperative chemoradiotherapy group were better than those of the patients in the surgery and postoperative chemotherapy group. Among them, the OS of the postoperative radiotherapy group was longer than that of the surgery group (P=0.011) and the postoperative chemotherapy group (P=0.190), while the DFS of postoperative chemoradiotherapy group was longer than that of the surgery group and postoperative chemotherapy group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05).

Conclusions

This study showed that postoperative adjuvant chemoradiotherapy could improve 3-year OS and DFS compared with treatment using surgery alone or postoperative chemotherapy alone. However, an evaluation of long-term prognosis requires a longer follow-up.

The treatments and postoperative complications of esophageal cancer: a review

Abstract

Esophageal cancer is still one of the most common cancers in the world. We review the appropriate treatments at different stages of esophageal cancer and also analyze the advantages and disadvantages of these treatments. The prognosis and recovery of different treatment regimens are further discussed. In particular, post-operative complications are the major causes of high mortality derived from the esophageal cancer. Therefore, we particularly discuss the main complications resulting in high mortality after surgery of esophageal cancer, and summarize their risk factors and treatment options.

Background

As the common cancer, the complications of esophageal cancer after surgery have been not obtained systematic treatment strategy, focusing on treatment regimens based on the different stages of esophageal cancers.

Methods and overview

This paper systematically summarizes the appropriate treatment strategies for different stages of esophageal cancers, and their advantages and disadvantages. We particularly focus on the postoperative survival rate of patients and postoperative complications, and discuss the causes of high mortality risk factors after surgery. The risk factors of death and corresponding treatment methods are further summarized in this study.

Conclusion

Postoperative complications is the main cause responsible for the hard cure of esophageal cancers. The existing literatures indicate that postoperative anastomotic fistula is one of the most important complications leading to death, while it has not received much attention yet. We suggest that anastomotic fistula should be detected and dealt with early by summarizing these literatures. It is, therefore, necessary to develop a set of methods to predict or check anastomotic fistula in advance.