Significance of tumor invasion and lymph node involvement on the prognosis and selection for surgery of adenocarcinoma of the cardia.

Between 1970 and 1983, 66 patients with adenocarcinoma of the cardia underwent resection in our institute. Hospital mortality within 30 days of surgery was 18.2%. Overall hospital mortality irrespective of time was 27.3%. The 4-year survival rate for all patients excluding overall hospital mortality was 29%. There was a significant difference in cumulative survival between T2 (n = 29) and T3 tumours (n = 15) (P = 0.035). Comparison in this 44-patient group of cumulative survival of patients with negative nodes (N0, n = 13) and positive nodes (N+, n = 31) was also significant (P = 0.01). The application of tumor invasion and lymph node involvement as peri-operative parameters for the selection of patients for resection was evaluated in a retrospective study. Forty-four patients were found eligible to be rearranged in a system using the following clinicopathological parameters: T = 3 versus T = 2 and N+ (positive nodes in N1 and/or N2 groups) versus N0. This system revealed no distinct group of patients who should be withheld from resection according to the criteria held in our institute. Resection provided excellent relief of dysphagia in most patients. The various findings are discussed, and further prospective studies will be needed. At present, in the absence of haematogenous metastases, we prefer surgical resection for all patients whose general condition allows major surgery.