Effect of bilateral supraclavicular postoperative radiotherapy in middle and lower thoracic esophageal carcinoma

AIM: To evaluate whether postoperative radiotherapy is an alternative to neck lymph node surgery and if it provides a survival benefit for those receiving two-field, chest and abdomen, lymphadenectomy.

The commensal consortium of the gut microbiome is associated with favorable responses to anti-programmed death protein 1 (PD-1) therapy in thoracic neoplasms

Objective:Immune checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized cancer therapy for multiple types of solid tumors,but as expected,a large percentage of patients do not show durable responses.Biomarkers that can predict clinical responses to immunotherapies at diagnosis are therefore urgently needed.Herein,we determined the associations between baseline gut commensal microbes and the clinical treatment efficiencies of patients with thoracic neoplasms during anti-programmed death protein 1(PD-1)therapy.Methods:Forty-two patients with advanced thoracic carcinoma who received anti-PD-1 treatment were enrolled in the study.Baseline and time-serial stool samples were analyzed using 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing.Tumor responses,patient progression-free survival,and overall survival were used to measure clinical outcomes.Results:The diversities of the baseline gut microbiota were similar between responders(n=23)and nonresponders(n=19).The relative abundances of the Akkermansiaceae,Enterococcaceae,Enterobacteriaceae,Carnobacteriaceae and Clostridiales Family XI bacterial families were significantly higher in the responder group.These 5 bacterial families acted as a commensal consortium and better stratified patients according to clinical responses(P=0.014).Patients with a higher abundance of commensal microbes had prolonged PFS(P=0.00016).Using multivariable analysis,the abundance of the commensal consortium was identified as an independent predictor of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy in thoracic neoplasms(hazard ratio:0.17;95%confidence interval:0.05–0.55;P=0.003).Conclusions:Baseline gut microbiota may have a critical impact on anti-PD-1 treatment in thoracic neoplasms.The abundance of gut commensal microbes at diagnosis might be useful for the early prediction of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy responses.

A comparative study of the therapeutic effect in two protocols: video-assisted thoracic surgery combined with laparoscopy versus right open transthoracic esophagectomy for esophageal cancer management

Objective: The aim was to evaluate the best intra-thoracoscopic surgery technique between video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) combined with laparoscopy and right open transthoracic esophagectomy, in patients with esophageal cancer. Methods: From November 2006 to May 2008, 221 patients with esophageal cancer were enrolled in this study, prospective randomized in two groups. 111 patients were performed the VATS technique (Experimental group), whereas in the other 110 patients esophagectomy was adopted by thoracotomy (Control group). Results: The time consuming of Experimental group was 272.3 min in average with a standard deviation(std) of 57.9, and it was 218.7 min in average with std of 91.0 in the control group (P=0.000). The operative blood loss was 219.7±194.4 mL in the Experimental group, compared with 590.0±324.4 mL in the control group, with significant difference (P=0.000). Postoperative hospital stay of Experimental group was 9.6±1.7d, and it was 11.4±2.3d in the control group (P=0.000). There was no-delayed union of incision in the Experimental group, but 6.36% in the control group (P=0.007). The disorder of gastric emptying occurred 0.9% in the Experimental group, whereas 6.4% in the Control group. There was no significant difference in survival curves and rates (P=0.555). Conclusion: There were several advantages of VATS technique, such as reduced hemorrhage, better recovery, few complications, and great number of lymph node dissection, although there was no significant difference in long-term survival rate. Thus the VATS combined with laparoscopy technique was worthy of generalization in esophageal surgery with good prospects.

Thoracic para-aortic lymph node recurrence in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma:A propensity score-matching analysis

BACKGROUND Thoracic para-aortic lymph node(TPLN)recurrence in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)is rare and its impact on survival is unknown.We studied survival in patients with ESCC who developed TPLN recurrence.AIM To study the survival in patients with ESCC who developed TPLNs recurrence.METHODS Data were collected retrospectively for 219 patients who had undergone curative surgery for ESCC during January 2012 to November 2017 and who developed recurrences(36.29%of 604 patients who had undergone curative surgeries for ESCC).The patients were classified into positive(+)and negative(-)TPLN metastasis subgroups.We also investigated TPLN recurrence in 223 patients with ESCC following definitive chemoradiotherapy during 2012-2013.Following propensity score matching(PSM)and survival estimation,factors predictive of overall survival(OS)were explored using a Cox proportional hazards model.RESULTS Among the patients with confirmed recurrence,18 were TPLN(+)and 13 developed synchronous distant metastases.Before PSM,TPLN(+)was associated with worse recurrence-free(P=0.00049)and OS[vs TPLN(-);P=0.0027],whereas only the intergroup difference in recurrence-free survival remained significant after PSM(P=0.013).The Cox analysis yielded similar results.Among the patients who had received definitive chemoradiotherapy,3(1.35%)had preoperative TPLN enlargement and none had developed recurrences.CONCLUSION TPLN metastasis is rare but may be associated with poor survival.

Secondary aortoesophageal fistula initially presented with empyema after thoracic aortic stent grafting:A case report

BACKGROUND Massive upper gastrointestinal(GI)bleeding is usually urgent and severe,and is mostly caused by GI diseases.Aortoesophageal fistula(AEF)after thoracic aortic stent grafting is a rare cause of this condition,and has a poor prognosis with a high mortality rate.The clinical symptoms of AEF are usually nonspecific,and the diagnosis is often difficult,especially when upper GI bleeding is absent.Early identification,early diagnosis,and early treatment are very important for improving prognosis.CASE SUMMARY A 74-year-old man was admitted to the infectious disease department with>10-d fever and 10-mo prior history of thoracic aortic stent grafting for thoracic aortic penetrating ulcers.Blood tests revealed elevated inflammatory indicators and anemia.Chest computed tomography(CT)showed postoperative changes of the aorta after endovascular stent graft implantation,pulmonary infection and pleural effusion.Pleural effusion tests showed empyema.After 1 wk of anti-infective treatment,temperature returned to normal and chest CT indicated improvement in pulmonary infection and reduction of pleural effusion.Esophageal endoscopy was performed because of epigastric discomfort,and showed a large ulcer with blood clot in the middle esophagus.However,on day 11,hematemesis and melena developed suddenly.Bleeding stopped temporarily after hemostatic treatment and bedside endoscopic hemostasis.Thoracic and abdominal aortic CT angiography confirmed AEF.Later that day,he suffered massive hemorrhage and hemorrhagic shock.Eventually,his family elected to discontinue treatment.CONCLUSION AEF should be strongly considered in patients with a history of aortic intervention who present with fever,especially with empyema.

Clinical application of thoracic small incision in radical operation for lung and esophageal cancer

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore clinical value of thoracic small incision in radical operation for lung and esophageal cancer in assuring same treatment effects with conventional incision. Methods: Collected data of patients was given radical operation for lung and esophageal cancer in our department from January 1, 2006 to January 1, 2007, and performed retrospective analysis, among them, small incision group (improved group) was 143 cases, and conventional group was 167 cases including 6 cases which was changed from small incision to conventional incision in operation. Compared operation time, incision length, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage flow, number of lymph node dissected, recovery time of postoperative upper limb function, postoperative pain, postoperative complications etc. between both groups. Results: Compared with conventional group, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage flow, postoperative pain, recovery time of postoperative upper limb function in improved group was improved significantly, and there was no obvious difference in operation time and number of lymph node dissected between both groups. Conclusion: Small incision in radical operation for lung and esophageal cancer is small trauma, and quick recovery after operation, treatment effects of it is basically similar to that of conventional operation method, however, its application is limited in few cases.

The clinical features of thoracic stomach cancer after surgical treatment for esophageal carcinoma

Objective:Postoperative recurrence of esophageal carcinoma was the main factor that affect the patients' survival and quality of life.This study mainly investigated the clinical features of thoracic stomach cancer (TSC) after surgical treatment for esophageal carcinoma.Methods:We retrospectively reviewed 51 cases of postoperative TSC in our hospital (Henan Province Tumor Hospital,Zhengzhou,China).Results:The 51 (10.97%) of all 465 cases that underwent endoscope after surgical treatment for esophageal carcinoma in our hospital were TSCs.There were 13 cases with complicating anastomotic recurrence.The locations of 46 cases (90.2%) were the same as the primary cancer.The 48 cases were squamous cell carcinomas and 3 cases were adenocarcinomas after esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma.Endoscopic manifestations were puffiness-infiltrating type at 39.2% (20/51),massive type at 15.7% (8/51),ulcerative type at 7.8% (4/51) and ulcerative infiltrating type at 3.9% (2/51) and stenotic type etc.Conclusion:The incidence of TSC after surgical treatment for esophageal carcinoma is high.The main cause was that the local residual cancer invaded gastric wall.The gastroscopic features of TSC are different from those of gastric cancer.Regular review with endoscopy in postoperative esophageal carcinoma patients was a major way to diagnose TSC.

Pattern of Lymphatic Metastasis and Influencing Factors in Thoracic Esophageal Carcinoma

OBJECTIVE To explore the regular patterns of lymphatic metastasis in thoracic esophageal carcinoma （TEC） and the factors influencing these patterns. METHODS Data of 229 TEC patients who underwent radical esophagectomy and thoracoabdominal 2-field lymphadenectomy were reviewed. Within this patient population, a total of 2458 lymph nodes were dissected during surgery. The distribution of the nodular metastasis rates （NMR） in various diseased regions in the esophageal carcinoma （EC） patients as well as factors influencing metastases such as the depth of tumor infiltration, tumor size, tumor morphology, and degree of tumor differentiation were analyzed. RESULTS i） Lymphatic metastasis （LM） occurred in 102 EC cases, and the lymphatic metastasis rate （LMR） was 44.5% （102/229）. The NMR was 9.5% （258/2458）. ii） The NMRs were 19.0%, 6.7%, 9.8% and 12.2% in the superior, middle and inferior mediastinum, and abdominal cavity, respectively, in patients with EC in the superior thoracic segment; 26.1%, 7.4%, 11.8% and 11.9% in the same sites of the mediastinum, respectively, in those with middle thoracic-segment EC; and 0%, 1.6%, 5.3%, and 10.0%, respectively, in the same sites in those with inferior thoracic EC. iii） The LMRs of the EC patients in stage-T1, T2, T3 and T4 were 28.6%, 43.8%, 47.6% and 31.3%, respectively, and the NMRs of the patients were 7.9%, 10.8%, 10.7% and 10.8%, respectively. There were no significant differences between the LMR and the NMR of the EC patients in stage T1 to T4 （X^2 = 2.733, P = 0.435 and X2 = 0.686, P = 0.876）. iv） The LMR of the patients with the length of tumor 〈 3 cm, 〉 3 cm and 〈 5 cm, and 〉 5 cm were 45.2%, 43.4% and 46.2%, respectively, and the NMR according to the same range of the tumor size above were 9.1%, 11.6% and 11.7%, respectively. There were no significant differences between the groups （X2 --- 0.094, P = 0.954 and X2 = 3.933, P = 0.140）. v） The NMRs of the medullary, ulcerative, fungoid and sclerotic-type EC were 14.0%, 9.6%, 4.3% and 18.3%, respectively （X^2 = 19.292, P = 0.000）, among which the NMR of the fungoid-type EC was the lowest. The LMRs were 42.5% and 75.0%, respectively in the cases with squamous cell carcinoma （SqCC） and poorly differentiated SqCC （X^2 = 4.852, P = 0.028）, and the NMRs were 9.5% and 18.6% correspondingly in the 2 groups （X^2 = 11.323, P = 0.001）. LM was commonly seen in the cases with poorly differentiated tumors. CONCLUSION Lymph node metastases of TEC spreads widely and can involve many regions. Metastasis can even be found in early stages of EC. Morphologic type and the degree of tumor differentiation are the main factors affecting the LM.

Clinical significance and characteristics of recurrent laryngeal nerve lymph node metastasis of thoracic esophageal cancer

Objective To investigate the clinical significance and characteristics of recurrent laryngeal nerve lymph node metastasis of thoracic esophageal cancer. Methods One hundred and twenty-four patients who had undergone thoracic esophageal resection with recurrent laryngealnerve lymph node dissection in our hospital from March 2007 to February 2010. All clinical data were retrospectively analysed. Results Recurrent laryngeal

Endoscopic submucosal dissection for superficial esophageal neoplasms

Endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD) is currently accepted as the major treatment modality for superficial neoplasms in the gastrointestinal tract including the esophagus.An important advantage of ESD is its effectiveness in resecting lesions regardless of their size and severity of fibrosis.Based on excellent outcomes for esophageal neoplasms with a small likelihood of lymph node metastasis,the number of ESD candidates has increased.On the other hand,ESD still requires highly skilled endoscopists due to technical difficulties.To avoid unnecessary complications including perforation and postoperative stricture,the indications for ESD require careful consideration and a full understanding of this modality.This article,in the highlight topic series,provides detailed information on the indication,procedure,outcome,complications and their prevention in ESD of superficial esophageal neoplasms.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection for early esophageal neoplasms using the stag beetle knife

AIM To determine short-and long-term outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD) using the stag beetle(SB) knife, a scissor-shaped device.METHODS Seventy consecutive patients with 96 early esophageal neoplasms, who underwent ESD using a SB knife at Kure Medical Center and Chugoku Cancer Center, Japan, between April 2010 and August 2016, were retrospectively evaluated. Clinicopathological characteristics of lesions and procedural adverse events were assessed. Therapeutic success was evaluated on the basis of en bloc, histologically complete, and curative or non-curative resection rates. Overall and tumor-specific survival, local or distant recurrence, and 3-and 5-year cumulative overall metachronous cancer rates were also assessed.RESULTS Eligible patients had dysplasia/intraepithelial neoplasia(22%) or early cancers(squamous cell carcinoma, 78%). The median procedural time was 60 min and on average, the lesions measured 24 mm in diameter, yielding 33-mm tissue defects. The en bloc resection rate was 100%, with 95% and 81% of dissections deemed histologically complete and curative, respectively. All procedures were completed without accidental incisions/perforations or delayed bleeding. During follow-up(mean, 35 ± 23 mo), no local recurrences or metastases were observed. The 3-and 5-year survival rates were 83% and 70%, respectively, with corresponding rates of 85% and 75% for curative resections and 74% and 49% for noncurative resections. The 3-and 5-year cumulative rates of metachronous cancer in the patients with curative resections were 14% and 26%, respectively.CONCLUSION ESD procedures using the SB knife are feasible, safe, and effective for treating early esophageal neoplasms, yielding favorable short-and long-term outcomes.

Risk factors for Mallory-Weiss Tear during endoscopic submucosal dissection of superficial esophageal neoplasms

BACKGROUND Adverse events during endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD)of superficial esophageal neoplasms,such as perforation and bleeding,have been welldocumented.However,the Mallory-Weiss Tear(MWT)during esophageal ESD remains under investigation.AIM To investigate the incidence and risk factors of the MWT during esophageal ESD.METHODS From June 2014 to July 2017,patients with superficial esophageal neoplasms who received ESD in our institution were retrospectively analyzed.The clinicopathological characteristics of the patients were collected.Patients were divided into an MWT group and non-MWT group based on whether MWT occurred during ESD.The incidence of MWTs was determined,and the risk factors for MWT were then further explored.RESULTS A total of 337 patients with 373 lesions treated by ESD were analyzed.Twenty patients developed MWTs during ESD(5.4%).Multivariate analysis identified that female sex(OR=5.36,95%CI:1.47-19.50,P=0.011)and procedure time longer than 88.5 min(OR=3.953,95%CI:1.497-10.417,P=0.005)were independent risk factors for an MWT during ESD.The cutoff value of the procedure time for an MWT was 88.5 min(sensitivity,65.0%;specificity,70.8%).Seven of the MWT patients received endoscopic hemostasis.All patients recovered satisfactorily without surgery for the laceration.CONCLUSION The incidence of MWTs during esophageal ESD was much higher than expected.Although most cases have a benign course,fatal conditions may occur.We recommend inspection of the stomach during and after the ESD procedure for timely management in cases of bleeding MWTs or even perforation outside of the procedure region.

Combination of concurrent endoscopic submucosal dissection and modified peroral endoscopic myotomy for an achalasia patient with synchronous early esophageal neoplasms

with an increased risk for developing esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. In our paper, we introduced an achalasia patient combined with synchronous early esophageal neoplasms. We performed a combination of concurrent endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM). No complications other than postoperative pain that needed morphine treatment for two days had occurred. Dysphagia was significantly improved. Neither reflux nor cough occurred. The short-term efficacy and safety of our case is favorable and suggests that concurrent ESD and POEM could be a treatment option to such patients.

Phase Ib trial of camrelizumab combined with chemotherapy and apatinib for neoadjuvant treatment of locally advanced thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Objective:This is a prospective,single-arm,phase Ib study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of camrelizumab combined with chemotherapy and apatinib as neoadjuvant therapy for locally advanced thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC).Methods:The regimen encompassed 2-4 cycles of neoadjuvant camrelizumab,nab-paclitaxel,nedaplatin,and apatinib to treatment-naive patients with resectable locally advanced ESCC.The treatment was repeated every 14 days.Initially,six patients were planned to receive two cycles of neoadjuvant therapy as safety assessment,and then 24 patients received four cycles of neoadjuvant therapy,followed by esophagectomy after 4-8 weeks.The primary endpoint was safety.The key secondary endpoints were pathologic complete response(pCR)and major pathologic response(MPR).Results:This study enrolled 30 patients,among whom,five patients received two cycles of neoadjuvant therapy,and one patient missed the second cycle of therapy due to grade 3 elevated alanine transaminase(ALT)level.The remaining 24 patients received four planned cycles of neoadjuvant therapy.Eleven patients(36.7%)devel-oped grade 3 neoadjuvant treatment-related adverse events(TRAEs).No patient developed grade 4 or 5 TRAEs.Neutropenia(23.3%)was the most common grade 3 TRAE.Twenty-nine patients underwent esophagectomy af-ter neoadjuvant therapy.Among them,15 patients(51.7%)achieved MPR,including seven patients with pCR(24.1%).Radiographic analyses established a significant correlation between maximal standardized uptake value(SUV max)reduction and pathologic regression(P=0.00095).Conclusions:Neoadjuvant camrelizumab combined with chemotherapy plus apatinib demonstrated a manageable safety profile for patients with locally advanced ESCC,and an encouraging efficacy was observed in most of the treated patients.A decrease in SUV max of the primary tumor may be a predictor of pathologic response to neoadjuvant camrelizumab combined with chemotherapy plus apatinib in ESCC.

CLINICAL EVALUATION OF CERVICAL ESOPHAGEAL RECONSTRUCTION AFTER RESECTION OF THORACIC ESOPHAGEAL CARCINOMA

The data of 3,714 patients with thoracic esophageal carcinoma from Apr, 1979 to Dec. 1994 were analysed in purpose to estimate the value of cervical esophagogastrotomy (cervical reconstruction) in the treatment of thoracic esophageal carcinoma. The results show that while cervical esophagogastrotomy was rarely used in the early years (only 8.8% of the treated cases), it has been recently used as the routine standard procedure in our hospital (94.1 %). This technic is of great importance and useful for the radical removal of tumor, the eradication of cervical and mediastinal lymph nodes, the reduction of post-operative complications and surgical mortality, as well as to improve the life quality of the patient. The operation indications, approach and the surgical efficacy are also discussed in the article.

Application of video-assisted thoracic surgery in the standard operation for thoracic tumors

Objective： To evaluate the short-term outcomes of video-assisted thoracic surgery （VATS） for thoracic tumors. Methods： The data of 1,790 consecutive patients were retrospectively reviewed. These patients underwent VATS pulmonary resections, VATS esophagectomies, and VATS resections of mediastinal tumors or biopsies at the Cancer Institute ＆ Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences between January 2009 and January 2012. Results： There were 33 patients converted to open thoracotomy （OT, 1.84%）. The overall morbidity and mortality rate was 2.79% （50/1790） and 0.28% （5/1790）, respectively. The overall hospitalization and chest tube duration were shorter in the VATS lobectomy group （n=949） than in the open thoracotomy （OT） lobectomy group （n=753）. There were no significant differences in morbidity rate, mortality rate and operation time between the two groups. In the esophageal cancer patients, no significant difference was found in the number of nodal dissection, chest tube duration, morbidity rate, mortality rate, and hospital length of stay between the VATS esophagectomy group （n=8 1） and open esophagectomy group （n=81）. However, the operation time was longer in the VATS esophagectomy group. In the thymoma patients, there was no significant difference in the chest tube duration, morbidity rate, mortality rate, and hospital length of stay between the VATS thymectomy group （n=41） and open thymectomy group （n=41）. However, the operation time was longer in the VATS group. The median tumor size in the VATS thymectomy group was comparable with that in the OT group. Conclusions： In early-stage （Ⅰ/Ⅱ） non-small cell lung cancer patients who underwent lobectomies, VATS is comparable with the OT approach with similar short-term outcomes. In patients with resectable esophageal cancer, VATS esophagectomy is comparable with OT esophagectomy with similar morbidity and mortality. VATS thymectomy for Masaoka stage I and II thymoma is feasible and safe, and tumor size is not contraindicated. Longer follow-ups are needed to determine the oncologic equivalency of VATS lobectomy, esophagectomy, and thymectomy for thymoma vs. OT.

Giant hibernoma of the thoracic pleura and chest wall

Hibernoma is a rare tumor containing prominent brown adipocytes that resemble normal brown fat.Brown fat(versus white fat) is predominantly found in hibernating mammals and infants.Brown fat adipocytes contain a higher number of small lipid droplets and a much denser concentration of mitochondria.The tumor can occur in a variety of locations however the extremities,followed by the head and neck,have been the most common sights.All variants of hibernoma described have followed a benign course with the majority presenting as a small,lobulated,nontender lesions.We present a case of a giant hibernoma arising from the pleura which invaded the intra and extra-thoracic chest.

Application of Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery in the Standard Operation for Lung Tumors

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the indication and short-term outcomes of video assisted thoracic surgery （VATS） for lung tumors. METHODS Data of 306 consecutive patients undergoing VATS pulmonary resection between January 2009 and August 2010 in Cancer Institute ＆ Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS There were 7 patients who underwent open thoracotomy, accounting for 2.29% （7/306）. The overall morbidity rate of complications and the mortality rate induced by VATS was 1.63% （5/306） and 0.33% （1/306）, respectively. There were no significant differences in morbidity and mortality rate between the patients receiving the VATS and the patients receiving the OT. The overall hospitalization, postoperative length of stay （LOS） and chest tube duration in the VATS lobectomy group （n = 167） were shorter than those in the open thoracotomy （OT）, but the operative time in the VATS group was longer than that in the OT group （n = 124）. There were no significant differences in the number of station of lymph nodal dissection （LND） and number of LND in pathological stage I between VATS group and OT group, but significant differences were found in the number of station of LND and the number of LND in pathological stage II and stage IIIA between the 2 groups. Compared with those who underwent OT wedge resection （n = 72）, the patients who underwent VATS wedge resection （n = 108） had shorter operative time, chest tube duration and hospital LOS, and there were no significant differences in morbidity of the complications and mortality between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION VATS lobectomy can be performed for patients with clinical stage I lung cancer （with tumor diameter smaller than 5 cm, without hilar and mediastinal lymph node enlargement）. VATS lobectomy is superior to OT lobectomy in short-term outcomes, although further studies exploring long-term outcomes through longer follow-up is needed to determine the oncologic equivalency between the VATS and the open lobectomy. VATS is also superior to OT in pulmonary wedge resection.

Correlation between the Changes in Lung Function and Lung Density Changes in Patients Following Radio- (Chemo-) Therapy for Thoracic Carcinomas

Purpose: In this analysis we focused on the correlation of patients’ lung function (PFT) data and lung density changes (ΔHU) detected in follow-up CTs. Material and Methods: PFT and lung function data were available for 58 patients 12 weeks and 47 patients 6 months after radio- (chemo-) therapy for thoracic carcinomas (NSCLC, SCLC and esophageal carcinoma). The follow-up CT scans were matched with the planning CT scans of each patient and then subtracted to calculate ΔHU for each voxel using customized research software. PFT data regarding e.g. vital capacity (VC), total lung capacity (TLC) and diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) were collected before and at several follow-up appointments after treatment. Results: 12 weeks after therapy there was a statistically significant correlation between difference in DLCO and the maximum ΔHU as well as the difference in TLC and the minimum ΔHU. 6 months after treatment there was a significant correlation between the difference in VC and DLCO with numerous lung density parameters, e.g. the mean and median lung density changes and the 75th percentile of ΔHU. There was no significant correlation between the PFT parameters FEV1, pCO2 and pO2 and any lung density parameter at any follow-up appointment. Conclusion: There is a significant correlation between DLCO and ΔHU 6 months after treatment that most likely reflects the underlying pathological mechanisms in terms of the development of fibrotic lung tissue after RT. The relevance of the significant correlations 12 weeks after RT is questionable.

Ivor Lewis subtotal esophagectomy with two-field lymphadenectomy for squamous cell carcinoma of the lower thoracic esophagus

AIM： To evaluate the clinical outcome of Ivor Lewis subtotal esophagectomy with two-field lymphadenectomy for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the lower thoracic esophagus. METHODS： From January 1998 to December 2001, 73 patients with lower thoracic esophageal carcinoma underwent Ivor-Lewis subtotal esophagectomy with two-field lymphadenectomy. Clinicopathological information, postoperative complications, mortality and long term survival of all these patients were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS： The operative morbidity and mortality was 15.1% and the mortality was 2.7%. Lymph node metastases were found in 52 patients （71.2%）. Nodal metastases to the upper, middle, lower mediastini and upper abdomen were found in 13 （17.8%）, 15 （20.5%）, 30 （41.1%）, and 25 （34.2%） patients, respectively. Postoperative staging was as follows： stage Ⅰ in 5 patients, stage Ⅱ in 34 patients, stage Ⅲ in 32 patients, and stage Ⅳ in 2 patients, respectively. The overall 5-year survival rate was 23.3%. For NO and N1 patients, the 5-year survival rate was 38.1% and 17.3%, respectively （X^2 = 22.65, P 〈 0.01）. The 5-year survival rate for patients in stages Ⅱ a, Ⅱ b and Ⅲ was 31.2%, 27.8% and 12.5%, repsectively （X^2 = 29.18, P 〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： Ivor Lewis subtotal esophagectomy with two-field （total mediastinum） lymphadenectomy is a safe and appropriate operation for squamous cell carcinoma of the lower thoracic esophagus.