[Development of esophageal cancers in patients following cardiomyotomy]

During a 20 year period we observed that in six patients with carcinoma of the esophagus associated with achalasia, four patients had had a prior Heller operation. Fifty patients with achalasia of the esophagus took part in endoscopic and histologic surveillance 5-15 years after cardiomyotomy. We have found a correlation between the severity of histologic changes and the duration of symptoms before the operation. It seems reasonable to advise early therapy to avoid the development of a dilated, poorly emptying esophagus. Our results suggest that long-term regular surveillance of the patient with achalasia is essential even after surgical treatment.