[Multimodality therapy for adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction]

The definition of esophagogastric junction (EGJ) adenocarcinoma and progress in multidisciplinary treatment for the tumor were revised in this review. Siewert classification is especially useful for the surgical approach of EGJ adenocarcinoma. Siewert I should be treated as esophageal cancer, and Ivor-Lewis esophagogastrectomy (right thoracotomy and laparotomy) is recommended as an extended two-field lymphadenectomy. For Siewert II or III tumors, left thoracophreno-laparotomy is preferred, especially in case of positive thoracic lymph nodes or positive resection margin. If there is any contraindication against thoracotomy, or a high operating risk, a transhiatal esophagectomy with lower mediastinal lymphadenectomy is an alternative. Preoperative chemoradiotherapy or perioperative chemotherapy improves overall survival and the rate of complete resection for patients with large tumor or lymph node metastasis. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy is associated with high but acceptable postoperative complications. Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy remains a rational standard therapy for curatively resected EGJ cancer with T3 or greater lesion or positive nodes.