Characteristics and pattern of recurrence after curative surgery in oesophageal cancer

Background and aim: Recurrence in oesophageal cancer continues to remain high after curative surgery. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of recurrence after curative surgery during follow-up, and the associated variables. Methods: A retrospective and prospective follow-up study in patients with an anatomical-pathological diagnosis of oesophageal cancer who underwent curative surgery (n = 57) in the health district of A Coruña (Spain) during the period 2003-2008. The calculation of recurrence-free survival was made using a competing risks survival analysis. Results: Out of the 57 patients included in the study, 87.7% were men with a mean age of 61.4 ± 10.3 years. The median follow-up period was 18.5 months, during which 28 recurrences were detected (50.9%). Patients with dysphagia on diagnosis of the disease, as well as patients in stages III-IV, have a higher probability of recurrence during the follow-up period. The median disease-free interval was 8.5 months. After one year of follow up, 57.1% of the recurrences were diagnosed and 82.1% after 2 years of follow-up. The median post-recurrence survival rate was 4.7 months. After adjusting for a multivariate regression model, the variable with an independent effect for predicting recurrence is the TNM classification (HR = 8.49). Conclusions: The majority of the recurrences will be developed during the 2 years after surgery, with a very poor prognosis. The predictor variable for recurrence is the TMN classification.