Long‐term results of transhiatal esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma. A multivariate analysis of prognostic factors

Background. Perioperative mortality and survival after esophagectomy have improved over the past 10 years. Although stage is the most powerful predictor of long‐term survival, it remains unclear whether other factors influence prognosis. Methods. Between 1981–1991, 100 patients with esophageal carcinoma were uniformly treated by transhiatal esophagectomy without adjuvant therapy. Results and prognostic factors of long‐term survival were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses (log‐rank test and Cox regression model). Results. Forty‐eight patients had severe associated medical conditions, and 26 patients were older than 69 years of age. Mortality was 3%, and morbidity was 68%. With a median follow‐up of 52 months, median survival was 18 months. The overall 5‐year survival was 23%, but it was 63% for early stages (pT1 + pT2). In the multivariate analysis, the risk of dying was increased by 4.9 (risk ratio) for patients with carcinomas invading beyond the muscularis propria (pT3 + pT4), compared to lower stages (pT1 + pT2) (P < 0.0001). To a lesser extent, long‐term survival was also adversely affected by transfusions (packed erythrocytes) after controlling for stage (risk ratio 1.7; P = 0.047). Age (> 69 years), preoperative weight loss, tumor location, histology (adenocarcinoma versus squamous cell carcinoma), fresh frozen plasma, and splenectomy did not influence survival. Conclusion. In this study, transhiatal esophagectomy provided palliation for esophageal cancer with a l ow‐perioperative mortality. Prolonged survival or cure was obtained for the majority of patients operated on in the early stages. Blood transfusions had a slight adverse effect on long‐term survival.