Ten-year survival of esophageal cancer after an en-bloc esophagectomy

Background Esophagectomy with gastric pull‐up is the optimal treatment for patients with resectable esophageal cancer. Although the morbidity and mortality of an esophagectomy is reduced, the long‐term outcome remains poor. The aim of this study was to evaluate the 10‐year survival of a standardized multidisciplinary therapy concept for esophageal cancer. Methods Between 1989 and 1999, 114 patients were treated for esophageal cancer at the University of Essen. All patients underwent an en‐bloc esophagectomy with systematic lymphadenectomy. Patients with locally advanced disease (stage III) received neoadjuvant therapy. All patients were followed‐up for 10 years or more or until death. Results The 3‐year survival was 35%, the 5‐year survival 25%, and the 10‐year survival was 18%. The recurrence rate was 44% with a median time of 13 months. There was no significant difference in survival between patients with locally advanced disease who received neoadjuvant therapy and patients with early disease (stadium I + II) who underwent surgery alone. Of the patients who achieved 10‐year survival, 60% had locally advanced disease and received neoadjuvant therapy. Conclusion Patients with locally advanced disease, managed by a multidisciplinary treatment strategy, achieved a similar long‐term survival to patients with early disease (stadium I + II). J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 105:284–287. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.