Surgical resection of hypopharynx and cervical esophageal cancer with a history of esophagectomy for thoracic esophageal cancer

Background. Cancer of the hypopharynx and cervical esophagus (PhCe cancer) frequently develops synchronously or metachronously with esophageal cancer. The surgical approach is usually difficult, especially in metachronous PhCe cancer after esophagectomy. The purpose of this study was to clarify the treatment outcomes of patients with metachronous PhCe cancer with a history of esophagectomy. Methods. The subjects evaluated in this study were 14 patients with metachronous PhCe cancer who underwent pharyngo-laryngo-esophagectomy after subtotal esophagectomy and gastric tube pull-up for primary esophageal cancer. Results. Definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT; radiation dose >50 Gy) was performed for primary laryngeal (n = 1), pharyngeal (n = 2), esophageal (n = 1), and recurrent esophageal cancer (n = 2). For seven patients with metachronous PhCe cancer, induction CRT (radiation dose <40 Gy) was performed. In all 14 patients, pharyngo-laryngo-esophagectomy was followed by free jejunal graft interposition with reconstruction of the jejunal vessels. Although postoperative complications developed in four patients, no perioperative death or necrosis of the reconstructed free jejunum occurred. The 2- and 5-year overall survival rates were 84 and 50 %, respectively. Conclusions. Pharyngo-laryngo- esophagectomy with free jejunal transfer is considered to be safe for metachronous PhCe cancer, even in patients with a history of CRT and esophagectomy.