A Phase III Study of En Bloc Versus Non-En Bloc Esophagectomy in Esophageal Cancer
Esophageal Neoplasms
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Esophageal Neoplasms focused on measuring Esophageal neoplasms, Esophagectomy
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Patients with cT2-T3/N0-N1-M1a-M1b(lymph node metastasis only) esophageal squamous cell and adenocarcinoma who have potentially resectable disease.
- Karnofsky performance status greater than or equal to 80%.
- Pulmonary and cardiac function must be acceptable for surgery according to institutional standards.
- Acceptable hepatic, renal and bone marrow function.
- Age 18 or older.
- Patients may receive preoperative chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy as part of their clinical care.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Patients with clearly unresectable or metastatic esophageal cancer or clinical stage I esophageal cancer.
- Significant psychiatric illness that would interfere with patient compliance.
- Patients with any other serious underlying medical condition that would impair the ability of the patient to receive or comply with protocol treatment.
- Patients with a significant history of unstable cardiovascular disease (e.g., inadequately controlled hypertension, or angina; myocardial infarction within the previous 6 months; ventricular cardiac arrhythmias requiring medication; congestive heart failure that in the opinion of the treating physician should preclude the patient from protocol treatment.
- Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus or uncontrolled infection, including HIV or interstitial pneumonia or interstitial fibrosis.
Sites / Locations
- Weill Medical College of Cornell Unversity
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Active Comparator
Active Comparator
A
B
En bloc esophagectomy is performed through a transthoracic approach by removing the tumor-bearing esophagus, the pericardium anteriorly, both pleural surfaces laterally, as well as the thoracic duct and all other lymphoareolar tissue wedged posteriorly between the esophagus and the spine, and en-bloc resection of all nodal groups in the middle and lower mediastinum as well as the upper abdomen.
Transhiatal esophagectomy is performed through an abdominal incision and a neck incision. The stomach is mobilized, and the left gastric vessels are transected at its origin. Celiac lymph nodes are dissected, and the intrathoracic esophagus is dissected bluntly through the hiatus and through the neck. The cervical esophagus is divided at the level of the neck. After the esophagogastrectomy is performed, a gastric tube is created. An esophagogastrostomy is then performed in the neck. If a transthoracic approach is used, dissection will be as described for the transhiatal approach.