Resection of Cardio-esophageal Carcinoma

Abstract

CARCINOMA of the esophagogastric junction is recognized as an entity which carries a poor prognosis. The operative treatment in this area is a procedure of considerable magnitude associated with a relatively high mortality and complication rate.^1-5 The cure rate as judged by five-year survival ranges from 7.5%⁶ to 17%⁵ in the larger reported series. There has been some controversy as to the reported difference of survival with primary esophageal lesions in contrast to those arising in the cardia.^7-10 Surgeons and radiotherapists generally agree that resection is the treatment of choice for carcinoma of this region.¹¹ Since the five-year survival rate is so poor, the major problem which faces the surgeon is the degree of palliation which can be offered the patient who presents with progressive and intractable dysphagia. The three major modalities available for palliation of this distressing symptom are resection, radiotherapy, and insertion of