[Early cancer of the esophagus: results in 61 operated cases]

From 1980 to 1987, 1338 patients with esophageal cancer were observed and 703 underwent esophagectomy. Pathologic exam of the operative specimen showed 61 early cancers of the esophagus: 10 mucosal and 51 submucosal. Hospital mortality in patients operated on (2 cases) for early esophageal cancer was 3.3% (2 cases). The 5-year survival rate in the cases of mucosal and submucosal tumors was 100% and 33%, respectively. The location of neoplastic recurrence was detected in 9 patients, all of whom had a submucosal tumor. The recurrence was local-regional in 4 cases, and remote in 5. The authors think that submucosal cancers of the esophagus may need a multimodality therapeutic approach to improve prognosis and prevent recurrence. Patients who are not surgical candidates and in whom the diagnosis of early cancer is likely on the basis of clinical staging may undergo endoscopic laser therapy.