Abstract
Definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT) is widely used to treat esophageal cancer. The use of salvage surgery for residual or recurrent disease after dCRT is increasing. Lymphadenectomy and endoscopic treatment as well as esophagectomy are included in the list of salvage surgeries in the 10th edition of the Japanese Classification of Esophageal Cancer authorized by the Japan Esophageal Society. Here we report two patients who underwent abdominal lymphadenectomy as salvage surgery. Although they both achieved complete response dCRT for esophageal cancer (Stage IVa), each developed a recurrence in the abdominal lymph nodes. One patient is well without any recurrence 2.8 years after salvage surgery. The other died of recurrent disease 2.2 years after salvage surgery. Abdominal lymphadenectomy as salvage surgery may be useful for patients who have abdominal lymph node metastasis after dCRT. The use of abdominal lymphadenectomy as salvage surgery for residual or recurrent disease after dCRT for esophageal cancer will likely increase.
