Three-field vs two-field lymph node dissection for esophageal cancer:A meta-analysis

AIM:To assess the effects of 3-field lymphadenectomy for esophageal carcinoma.METHODS:We conducted a computerized literature search of the Pub Med,Cochrane Controlled Trials Register,and EMBASE databases from their inception to present.Randomized controlled trials(RCTs)or observational epidemiological studies(cohort studies)that compared the survival rates and/or postoperative complications between 2-field lymphadenectomy(2FL)and3-field lymphadenectomy(3FL)for esophageal carcinoma with R0 resection were included.Meta-analysis was conducted using published data on 3FL vs 2FL in esophageal carcinoma patients.End points were 1-,3-,and 5-year overall survival rates and postoperativecomplications,including recurrent nerve palsy,anastomosis leak,pulmonary complications,and chylothorax.Subgroup analysis was performed on the involvement of recurrent laryngeal lymph nodes.RESULTS:Two RCTs and 18 observational studies with over 7000 patients were included.There was a clear benefit for 3FL in the 1-(RR=1.16;95%CI:1.09-1.24;P<0.01),3-(RR=1.44;95%CI:1.19-1.75;P<0.01),and 5-year overall survival rates(RR=1.37;95%CI:1.18-1.59;P<0.01).For postoperative complications,3FL was associated with significantly more recurrent nerve palsy(RR=1.43;95%CI:1.28-1.60;P=0.02)and anastomosis leak(RR=1.26;95%CI:1.05-1.52;P=0.09).In contrast,there was no significant difference for pulmonary complications(RR=0.93;95%CI:0.75-1.16,random-effects model;P=0.27)or chylothorax(RR=0.77;95%CI:0.32-1.85;P=0.69).CONCLUSION:This meta-analysis shows that 3FL improves overall survival rate but has more complications.Because of the high heterogeneity among outcomes,definite conclusions are difficult to draw.

Prognostic relevance of β-catenin expression in T2-3N0M0 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

AIM: To study the expression of β-catenin in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) at stage T2-3N0M0 and its relation with the prognosis of ESCC patients. METHODS: Expression of β-catenin in 227 ESCC speci-mens was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). A reproducible semi-quantitative method which takes both staining percentage and intensity into account was applied in IHC scoring, and receiver operating char-acteristic curve analysis was used to select the cut-off score for high or low IHC reactivity. Then, correlation of β-catenin expression with clinicopathological features and prognosis of ESCC patients was determined. RESULTS: No significant correlation was observed between β-catenin expression and clinicopathological parameters in terms of gender, age, tumor size, tumor grade, tumor location, depth of invasion and pathologi-cal stage. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that the up-regulated expression of β-catenin indicated a poorer post-operative survival rate of ESCC patients at stage T2-3N0M0 (P = 0.004), especially of those with T3 lesions (P = 0.014) or with stage ⅡB diseases (P = 0.007). Multivariate analysis also confirmed that β-catenin was an independent prognostic factor for the overall survival rate of ESCC patients at stage T2-3N0M0 (relative risk = 1.642, 95% CI: 1.159-2.327, P = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Elevated β-catenin expression level may be an adverse indicator for the prognosis of ESCC patients at stage T2-3N0M0, especially for those with T3 lesions or stage ⅡB diseases.

The Sino-French 2012 Conference in Thoracic Oncology:an international academic platform for in-depth exchange on comprehensive research

The Sino-French 2012 Conference in Thoracic Oncology, held November 17-18, 2012, was hosted by the Department of Thoracic Surgery at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center and organized in collaboration with two prestigious French hospitals: Institute Gustave Roussy and Marie Lannelongue Hospital. The conference was established by leading experts from China and France to serve as an international academic platform for sharing novel findings in basic research and valuable clinical practice experiences. Hot topics including innovation in surgical techniques, diagnosis and staging of early-stage lung cancer, minimally invasive surgery, multidisciplinary treatment of lung cancer, and progress in radiotherapy for lung cancer were explored. Highlights of the conference presentations are summarized in this report.

Fibrin sealant for esophageal anastomosis:A phase II study

BACKGROUND Esophagectomy is a pivotal curative modality for localized esophageal or esophagogastric junction cancer(EC or EJC).Postoperative anastomotic leakage(AL)remains problematic.The use of fibrin sealant(FS)may improve the strength of esophageal anastomosis and reduce the incidence of AL.AIM To assess the efficacy and safety of applying FS to prevent AL in patients with EC or EJC.METHODS In this single-arm,phase II trial(Clinicaltrial.gov identifier:NCT03529266),we recruited patients aged 18-80 years with resectable EC or EJC clinically staged as T1-4aN0-3M0.An open or minimally invasive McKeown esophagectomy was performed with a circular stapled anastomosis.After performing the anastomosis,2.5 mL of porcine FS was applied circumferentially.The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with AL within 3 mo.RESULTS From June 4,2018,to December 29,2018,57 patients were enrolled.At the data cutoff date(June 30,2019),three(5.3%)of the 57 patients had developed AL,including two(3.5%)with esophagogastric AL and one(1.8%)with gastric fistula.The incidence of anastomotic stricture and other major postoperative complications was 1.8%and 17.5%,respectively.The median time needed to resume oral feeding after operation was 8 d(Interquartile range:7.0-9.0 d).No adverse events related to FS were recorded.No deaths occurred within 90 d after surgery.CONCLUSION Perioperative sealing with porcine FS appears safe and may prevent AL after esophagectomy in patients with resectable EC or EJC.Further phase III studies are warranted.