Prognostic analysis of salvage esophagectomy after definitive chemoradiotherapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: the importance of lymphadenectomy.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to review the prognostic factors for increased survival after salvage esophagectomy after definitive chemoradiotherapy for esophageal squamous carcinoma and determine the importance of lymphadenectomy from a prognostic view.

METHODS: Clinical data for all patients from January 1999 to December 2012 who underwent salvage esophagectomy for residual tumor or tumor recurrence after definitive chemoradiotherapy were retrospectively collected. Survival was determined and prognostic factors were analyzed with univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS: Survival after 1, 3, and 5 years postoperatively was 74.4%, 39.8%, and 29.5%, respectively. The independent predictive factors for increased postoperative survival were tumor recurrence rather than residual tumor as the indication for salvage surgery (P < .001; odds ratio [OR], 0.292); complete tumor resection (P < .001; OR, 4.520); N category (P = .089; OR, 1.304); M category (P = .081; OR, 2.215), and total mediastinal dissection with 15 or more dissected mediastinal lymph nodes (P = .034; OR, 0.546).

CONCLUSIONS: Salvage indications of recurrence, earlier disease, and complete tumor resection are related to longer survival. The total area of mediastinal dissection with a sufficient number of dissected mediastinal lymph nodes improves survival. Additional neck dissection does not add benefit. The optimal procedure for lymph node dissection in salvage esophagectomy should be established in future studies.