Larynx-preserving limited resection and free jejunal graft for carcinoma of the cervical esophagus.

BACKGROUND

There is no generally accepted treatment strategy for cervical cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of larynx-preserving limited resection with free jejunal graft for cervical esophageal cancer.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed data of 58 patients with cervical esophageal cancer who underwent limited resection and free jejunal graft with or without laryngeal preservation. Among them, 45 patients received neoadjuvant treatment.

RESULTS

Larynx-preserving surgery was conducted in 33 of the 58 patients (56.9%). A higher proportion of patients who underwent laryngopharyngectomy with cervical esophagectomy (larynx-nonpreserving group) had cT4 tumors than those who underwent larynx-preserving cervical esophagectomy (larynx-preserving group) (72 vs. 12%). The overall incidence of postoperative complications was similar in the two groups (56 vs. 52%). The 5-year survival rate was 44.9% for the entire group. Laryngeal preservation did not reduce overall survival compared with the larynx-nonpreserving operation (5-year survival rate: 57.8 vs. 25.8%). Multivariate analysis identified the number of metastatic lymph nodes as the only independent prognostic factor.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study demonstrated that larynx-preserving limited resection with free jejunal graft is feasible. Also, this approach did not worsen the prognosis compared with the larynx-nonpreserving operation. Limited resection with free jejunal graft and laryngeal preservation is a promising treatment strategy for cervical esophageal cancer.