Surgical treatment of Barrett's carcinoma : correlations between morphologic findings and prognosis. Discussion

Barrett's carcinoma occumed in 66 of 331 patients with adenocarcinomas of the esophagus or gastroesophageal junction. Only 32 (46%) of these patients had a history of gastroesophageal reflux. A history of alcohol and tobacco abuse was absent in 50% and 47.5%, respectively. The mean length of Barrett's metaplasia was 7.37 cm. Operability was 98.5% and resectability 95.5%0 No postoperative or hospital deaths occurred. Pathologic staging was as follows: stage 0 and I, 38.3%; stage II, 20.6%; stage III, 22.2%; and stage IV, 19%. Overall survivals were 80.5% at 1 year, 62.7% at 2 years, and 58.2% at 5 years