[Clinical analysis of 123 gastric cardia carcinoma patients treated with surgical operation].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of gastric cardia carcinoma is increasing in recent decades, necessitating further research on it. However, there are still debates on its clinical management. This study was to summarize our experiences in surgical treatment of gastric cardia carcinoma.

METHODS

A total of 123 gastric cardia carcinoma patients, received surgical operation, were divided into 3 groups according to surgical approaches: 72 in thoracic group, 40 in abdominal group, and 11 in thoracoabdominal group. Clinical data, including preoperative examination, surgical approach, lymph node dissection, and postoperative pathology, of the patients were analyzed.

RESULTS

Setting pathologic results as golden standard, the correct diagnosis rates of preoperative ultrasound for serosal involvement, lymph node metastasis, distal esophageal involvement, and others (including liver metastases, extended invasion, and ascites) were 71.2%, 62.2%, 47.8%, and 100%, respectively; those of CT were 78.6%, 72.7%, 51.9%, and 100%, respectively. Endoscopy could indicate the distance between tumor and incisor, and barium meal showed the relationship between tumor and diaphragm. The curative resection rate was 94.3% (116/123); among the 116 cases, 108 (93.1%) were adenocarcinoma, 2 were squamous cell carcinoma, 2 were adenosquamous carcinoma, 2 were atypical carcinoid, and 2 were carcinoid; 84 (72.4%) had abdominal lymph node metastases, 6 (7.1%) had thoracic lymph node metastases, and 40 (34.5%) had distal esophageal involvement.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative abdominal ultrasound and thoracoabdominal CT scan are helpful in evaluating respectability of gastric cardia carcinoma. Endoscopy and barium meal may be helpful in deciding the surgical approach. Abdominal lymph node is the main route of lymphatic dissemination of gastric cardia carcinoma. The efficacies of the 3 surgical approaches are similar; each has its benefit. Surgical modalities should be carried out individually according to Siewert classification and patient's conditions.