Outcomes

Oesophageal Cancer

Outcome depends on initial tumour stage. It should be remembered that the vast majority of patients undergoing eosphagectomy are stage T3N1, which means that they have a median survival between 6 and 12 to 18 months.

Primary Tumor (T)

TX Primary tumor cannot be assessed

T0 No evidence of primary tumor

Tis Carcinoma in situ (including high-grade dysplasia)

T1 Tumor invades lamina propria or submucosa

T1a Tumor invades lamina propria*

T1b Tumor invades submucosa*

T2 Tumor invades muscularis propria

T3 Tumor invades adventitia

T4 Tumor invades adjacent structures

*Separation into T1a and T1b is justified by differences in frequency of lymph node metastasis and subsequent prognosis. T1a and T1b correlate with lymph node metastasis and prognosis as follows.

Regional Lymph Nodes (N)

NX Regional lymph nodes cannot be assessed

N0 No regional lymph node metastasis

N1 Regional lymph node metastasis

N1a 1-3 nodes involved*

N1b 4-7 nodes involved*

N1c >7 nodes involved*

A mediastinal lymphadenectomy specimen will ordinarily include 6 or more regional lymph nodes.

* Separation into N1a, N1b, and N1c is justified by differences in prognosis as follows.