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 analyzed, and indications of surgical treatment were recommended. The presence of residual tumor is not an important factor in the development of anastomotic leakage.