The long‐term survival of esophageal cancer in elderly patients: A multi‐center, retrospective study from China

Abstract

Background: Esophageal cancer (EC) often occurs in the elderly, and approximately 40% of patients are 70 years or older. To investigate the long-term survival of esophageal cancer in elderly patients, to provide a theoretical direction for better management and predicting survival of EC based on the hospital-based multi-center study in China.Methods: The study was conducted in eighteen hospitals including 6 provincial hospitals, 8 municipal hospitals, and 4 county hospitals. We extracted information from medical record homepage, records of admission and discharge, and pathological diagnosis reports from the medical record department of the elderly patients at 70-84 years to further obtain the 3-year and 5-year overall survival (OS), and main associated factors, and to analyze the current therapeutic effect of different treatment options for elderly patients.Results: The 3-year and 5-year OS rate of the 1013 elderly patients was 44.8% and 32.8%, respectively.Their median survival was 28.00 months. The median survival of patients with squamous cell carcinoma was longer than that of other pathological type (squamous vs. other types: 31.00 vs. 20.00 months, P = 0.018). The median survival of patients with surgery only or combined therapy was longer than that of radiotherapy, chemotherapy, no therapy (surgery only vs. combined therapy vs. radiotherapy vs. chemotherapy vs. no therapy: 56.00 vs. 33.00 vs. 26.00 vs.18.00 vs. 16.00 months, P<0.001). The 5-year OS rate of patients with highly differentiated cancer was higher than that of medium differentiated and poor differentiation/undifferentiated. In multivariate analysis, the older ages, pathological stage were independent prognostic risk factors for poor EC survival. Treatment method (surgery only: HR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.47-0.85; combined therapy: HR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.60-1.00) was independent protective factors predictive of a good EC OS.Conclusions: The survival rate of the elderly EC patients was still low in China. Age, therapy method, and pathological stage were mainly associated with the survival rate of EC in elderly patients.

Impact of low pharyngeal/esophageal pressure associated with sarcopenia on postendoscopic submucosal dissection pneumonia in patients with superficial esophageal cancer

“…2,3 Additionally, postoperative aspiration pneumonia or chemoradiotherapy is a major concern with the aging of patients with esophageal cancer. 4 Interestingly, endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is an effective treatment option for superficial esophageal cancers. It provides several advantages, including a lower incidence of adverse events and improved quality of life compared with other treatments.…”

“…In Japan, where more than 25% of the population is aged ≥65 years, 1 aspiration pneumonia incidence is increasing 2,3 . Additionally, postoperative aspiration pneumonia or chemoradiotherapy is a major concern with the aging of patients with esophageal cancer 4 . Interestingly, endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is an effective treatment option for superficial esophageal cancers.…”