Thoracic Cancer (Dec 2021)

Trimodality therapy for esophageal cancer: The role of surgical and radiation treatment parameters in the development of anastomotic complications

  • Salem Alfaifi,
  • Robert Chu,
  • Xuan Hui,
  • Stephen Broderick,
  • Craig Hooker,
  • Malcolm Brock,
  • Errol Bush,
  • Russell Hales,
  • Lori Anderson,
  • Jeffrey Hoff,
  • Cole Friedes,
  • Sarah Han‐Oh,
  • Todd Mcnutt,
  • Jinny Ha,
  • Stephen Yang,
  • Richard Battafarano,
  • Joy Feliciano,
  • K. Ranh Voong

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1111/1759-7714.14130
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 23
pp. 3121 – 3129

Abstract

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Abstract Background Here, we investigated the relationship between clinical parameters, including the site of surgical anastomosis and radiation dose to the anastomotic region, and anastomotic complications in esophageal cancer patients treated with trimodality therapy. Methods Between 2007 and 2016, esophageal cancer patients treated with trimodality therapy at a tertiary academic cancer center were identified. Patient, treatment, and outcome parameters were collected. Radiation dose to the gastric regions were extracted. Anastomotic complication was defined as leak and/or stricture. We used Fisher's exact and Wilcoxon rank‐sum tests to compare the association between clinical parameters and anastomotic complications. Results Of 89 patients identified, the median age was 63 years, 82% (n = 73) were male, and 82% had distal (n = 47) or gastroesophageal junction (n = 26) tumors. Median follow‐up was 25.8 months. Esophagectomies were performed with cervical (65%, n = 58) or thoracic anastomoses (35%, n = 31). Anastomotic complications developed in 60% (n = 53). Cervical anastomosis was associated with anastomotic complications (83%, n = 44/53, p 0.05). In the subset of patients with distal/gastroesophageal junction tumors undergoing esophagectomy with cervical anastomosis where radiation was delivered to the future neoesophagus, 80% (n = 35/44) developed anastomotic complications. In this high‐risk subgroup, radiation was not associated with anastomotic complications (p > 0.05). Conclusions Our analysis did not demonstrate an association between radiation dose to gastric substructures and anastomotic complications. However, it showed an association between esophagectomy with cervical anastomosis and anastomotic complications. Patients with distal/gastroesophageal junction tumors who undergo esophagectomy with cervical anastomosis have higher rates of anastomotic complications unrelated to radiation to gastric substructures.

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