Prognostic Value of Tumor Regression Grade Based on Ryan Score in Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Adenocarcinoma of Esophagus.

PURPOSES: Tumor regression grade (TRG) of the primary tumor after neoadjuvant therapy is one of the most sensitive prognostic factors among patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer, although no TRG system is fully accepted. The Ryan score was proposed in 2005 to evaluate TRG in rectal cancer and could be adaptable for pathological evaluation of esophageal cancer. The objective of this study is to evaluate the prognostic value of the Ryan score for esophageal cancer in the setting of trimodal therapy. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study in which patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer, submitted to neoadjuvant therapy followed by surgical resection, were selected. One hundred thirty-four patients were selected. All tissue specimens were assessed as per the TRG system proposed by Ryan et al. Survival curves were assessed by the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. Chi-square test or likelihood-ratio test was used for absolute and relative variables. Kruskal-Wallis and analysis of variance tests were used to assess significant differences on a continuous dependent variable by a categorical independent variable. RESULTS: Of the 134 included patients, 94 (70.1%) had squamous cell carcinoma, and 40 (29.9%) adenocarcinoma. Ryan score was correlated with histological type (p < 0.001), and clinical (p = 0.044) and pathological (p < 0.001) staging. Mean follow-up was 31.1 months. Multivariate analysis showed that Ryan score can safely predict survival, and systemic and lymphatic recurrence (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Ryan score is an effective system to evaluate TRG and can predict risk for lymph node or distant metastasis, overall survival, and disease-free survival.

Thoracoscopic esophagectomy is related to better outcomes in early adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction tumors.

BACKGROUND: Thoracoscopic esophagectomy is related to an extended lymphadenectomy, and a high number of retrieved lymph nodes, compared to the transhiatal approach; however, its association with an improvement in overall survival (OS) is debatable. AIM: To compare thoracoscopic esophagectomy with transhiatal esophagectomy in patients with adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEGJ) in terms of survival, number of lymph nodes, and complications. METHODS: In total, 147 patients with AEGJ were selected retrospectively from 2002 to 2019, and divided into Group A for thoracoscopic esophagectomy, and group B for transhiatal esophagectomy. OS, disease-free survival, postoperative complications, and number of nodes, were similarly evaluated. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty (88%) were male; the mean age was 64 years. Group A had a mean age of 61.1 years and group B 65.7 years (P = 0.009). Concerning the extent of lymphadenectomy, group A showed a higher number of retrieved lymph nodes (mean of 31.89 ± 8.2 vs 20.73 ± 7; P < 0.001), with more perioperative complications, such as hoarseness, surgical site infections, and respiratory complications. Although both groups had similar OS rates, subgroup analysis showed better survival of transthoracic esophagectomy in patients with earlier diseases. CONCLUSION: Both methods are safe, having similar morbidity and mortality rates. Transthoracic thoracoscopic esophagectomy allows a more extensive resection of the lymph nodes and may have better oncological outcomes during earlier stages of the disease. Prospective studies are warranted to better evaluate these findings.