Results of resection of carcinoma of the esophagus and cardia in 196 patients

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Abstract
During the period 1962–1976, 196 patients were operated on for carcinoma of the esophagus (51) and cardia (145). In all patients resection with primary esophagogastrostomy or esophagojejunostomy was performed. Metastases involving the regional lymph nodes were found in 54.2% of patients. The early postoperative mortality rate was 21.9%. The most common cause of death was leakage at the esophagogastric anastomosis (46.5% of deaths). Mean survival period was 16.2 months, overall 5‐year survival rate was 18.7%, and 5‐year survival rate excluding early post‐operative mortality was 21.7%. Mean survival period in patients who had resection of the esophagus with negative lymph nodes was 13.5 months and in those with positive nodes was 8.1 months. Mean survival time in patients after resection of the cardia was 19.7 months if nodes were negative and 8.2 months if nodes were positive.The most frequent cause of late death was advanced cancer and distant metastases. Postoperatively, most patients were able to adopt their previous mode of life. All living patients but 1 are ambulatory, 2/3 perform work that is the same as or easier than that prior to the onset of the illness, they have no difficulty in consuming food, and are physically fit. The most common side effect was heartburn due to reflux esophagitis.