Significance of residual tumor at the esophageal stump after resection for carcinoma

Residual tumor at the esophageal stump was found in 103, or 14.3%, of a series of 719 resected esophageal specimens for carcinoma. The residual tumor pathologically presented as basal epithelial-cell carcinomatous change in 16 (15.5%), carcinoma in situ in 26 (25.5%), invasive carcinoma in 51 (49.5%), and cancerous emboli in 6 (5.8%) cases. A follow-up study of the 719 patients showed that the long-term survival rate of those with residual tumor was significantly lower than that of those without. Factors of occurrence besides inadequate resection were ana-layzed, and indications of surgical treatment were recommended. The presence of residual tumor is not an important factor in the development of anastomotic leakage.