390 strategy for treatment of early adenocarcinoma (t1) of the esophagogastric junction according to lymph node metastasis status and vascular invasion

Abstract Incidence of adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction is increasing in Japan. However, in early cases (T1), there is no consensus on treatment strategy. The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal range of resection and lymph node dissection according to lymph node metastasis status and vascular invasion in early adenocarcinoma (T1) of the esophagogastric junction. Methods We investigated patient characteristics, surgical procedures, recurrence pattern, and optimum extent of lymph node dissection in 22 patients who underwent surgery in our hospital from 2000 to 2016 and were diagnosed with early adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (by Nishi’s classification). Results Four patients with lymph node metastasis, the depth of invasion was sm2 and lymphatic invasion was positive (ly1–ly3, focal lymphatic invasion to prominent lymphatic invasion). In all cases, the site of lymph node metastasis was the lesser gastric curvature. None of the patients developed postoperative lymph node recurrence. An examination of the outcomes revealed that the metastases were hematogenous in all patients with a depth of invasion of sm2 and a positive venous invasion (v1, focal vascular invasion). Conclusion We conclude that transhiatal esophagectomy should be selected as a minimal requirement, and that dissection of the abdominal lymph node (particularly on the lesser curvature side of the superior part of the stomach) is sufficient, for patients with early adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction. In cases where the depth of invasion is sm2 or greater and vascular invasion is present, patients may require adjuvant therapy regardless of lymph node metastasis status.