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Esophageal Cancer Associated with Multiple Primary Cancers: Surgical Approaches and Long-term Survival

Annals of Surgical Oncology volume 20, pages 4260–4266 (2013)Cite this article

Abstract

Background

The presence of multiple primary cancers (MPCs) in patients with esophageal cancer often presents physicians with a difficult therapeutic decision, because little is known about the appropriate treatment and long-term survival. The purpose of this study was to evaluate appropriate surgical approaches and long-term survival after surgery for esophageal cancer associated with MPCs.

Methods

Data from 622 patients who underwent surgery for primary esophageal cancer between 1989 and 2008 were reviewed retrospectively to identify the presence of MPCs.

Results

A total of 96 MPCs were identified in 90 (14.5 %) patients. The three leading MPCs were stomach cancer (n = 36, 37.5 %), head and neck cancer (n = 18, 18.8 %), and lung cancer (n = 18, 18.8 %). The rate of curative resections for both esophageal cancer and MPCs was 87.5 % (28/32) in patients with stomach cancer, 47.1 % (8/17) in head and neck cancer, and 52.9 % (9/17) in lung cancer (P = 0.006). The 5-year survival rates after surgery for esophageal cancer in patients associated with stomach, lung, and head and neck cancer were 52.7, 27.0, and 9.2 %, respectively (P = 0.011).

Conclusions

A range of surgical approaches for esophageal cancer is available in patients associated with MPCs. However, curative resections for primary esophageal cancer associated with MPCs are feasible in highly selected patients. Therefore, a multidisciplinary team management approach is essential for customized treatment strategies in patients with esophageal cancer associated with MPCs.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Geun Dong Lee MD, Yong-Hee Kim MD, Joon Bum Kim MD, Se Hoon Choi MD, Hyeong Ryul Kim MD, Dong Kwan Kim MD & Seung-Il Park MD

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  1. Geun Dong Lee MD
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  2. Yong-Hee Kim MD
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  3. Joon Bum Kim MD
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  5. Hyeong Ryul Kim MD
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Correspondence to Yong-Hee Kim MD.

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Lee, G.D., Kim, YH., Kim, J.B. et al. Esophageal Cancer Associated with Multiple Primary Cancers: Surgical Approaches and Long-term Survival. Ann Surg Oncol 20, 4260–4266 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-013-3183-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-013-3183-3

Keywords

  • Esophageal Cancer
  • Neck Cancer
  • Curative Resection
  • National Comprehensive Cancer Network
  • National Comprehensive Cancer Network