Abstract: Objective To explore the value of serum Dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK1)for the early diagnosis of esophageal cancer, and provide theoretical evidence for the diagnosis and treatment of esophageal cancer. Methods A total of 145 patients who were admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University between October 2009 and April 2011 were included in this study and divided into four groups. There were 72 patients in the esophageal cancer group (54 males and 18 females with their median age of 60.4 years),13 patients in the precancerosis group (9 males and 4 females with their median age of 58.6 years),30 patients in the benign esophageal lesion group (23 males and 7 females with their median age of 56.4 years),and 30 healthy people in the volunteer group (19 males and 11 females with their median age of 58.6 years). Serum DKK1 protein concentration was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was drawn to determine the cutoff level with optimal diagnostic accuracy. Results Serum DKK1 protein levels were significantly higher in the esophageal cancer group and precancerosis group than those in the volunteer group and benign esophageal lesion group [(37.5±2.8) μg/L, (19.7±2.7) μg/L vs. (5.7±0.8) μg/L, (6.5±0.8) μg/L,t=47.391, P<0.05]. There was no statistical difference in serum DKK1 protein level between the volunteer group and benign esophageal lesion group [(6.5±0.8) μg/L vs. (5.7±0.8) μg/L, t=4.215,P=0.374]. When the level of serum DKK1 protein was 13.4 μg/L, the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of esophageal cancer were 74.1% and 96.7%, respectively. Conclusion Overexpression of serum DKK1 protein could be related to the pathogenesis and progression of esophageal cancer. DKK1 protein may be a potential serologic biomarker for the early diagnosis of esophageal cancer.
Objective This study analyzed the pattern and influence factors of lymph node metastasis in thoracic esophageal cancer to provide a reference for the lymph node dissection for esophageal cancer. Methods Clinical data of 177 patients with thoracic esophageal cancer receiving the lymph node dissection in our department from 2015 to 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 125 males and 52 females with a median age of 64 years, ranging from 18 to 86 years. We excluded cervical esophageal cancer and adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction and analyzed the relationship between lymph node metastasis and tumor pathological type, depth of invasion, degree of differentiation and length. Results Of the 177 patients, 76 (42.9%) were found to have lymph node metastasis. In the 4 977 dissected lymph nodes, metastasis was identfied in 361 (7.3%) lymph nodes. The rate of lymph node metastasis in thoracic esophageal carcinoma was not related to the location and length of the tumor (P>0.05), but related to the depth of invasion and the degree of differentiation (P<0.05). Conclusion Lymph node metastasis is prone to present in the early stage of thoracic esophageal cancer. According to the characteristics of lymph node metastasis in thoracic esophageal carcinoma, we need have a standardized, systematic and focused lymph node dissection.
ObjectiveTo compare the short-and mid-term outcomes of patients with esophageal cancer after subtotal esophagectomy via thoracoscopy in lateral prone position, prone position, or left lateral position. MethodsThis randomized prospectively controlled study was conducted in 121 patients receiving subtotal esophagectomy via thoracoscopy between January 2010 and February 2013. The patients were randomly assigned into three groups to underwent esophagectomy in lateral prone position, prone position, or left lateral position, respectively. Forty-three patients (24 males, 19 females, 61.5±1.5 years) underwent surgery in lateral prone position, 39 patients (21 males, 18 females, 63.2±1.7 years) in prone position and other 39 patients (22 males, 17 females, 60.1±1.6 years) in left lateral position. Esophagogastric anastomosis was performed in the left neck. ResultsThe median operative time in the three groups was 232 (165-296) min, 230 (170-310) min, and 280 (190-380) min, respectively (P < 0.05). The median perioperative bleeding was 262 (185-330) ml, 275 (100-320) ml and 350 (120-560) ml, respectively (P > 0.05). The average number of harvested lymph nodes was 19.1 (9-26), 18.4 (11-23), 10.9 (6-21), respectively (P < 0.05). The postoperative medical complications occurred in 10, 9 and 11 patients in three groups, respectively, with no statistical difference. Twenty patients died in the lateral prone position group after a median follow-up period of 19.2 (6-31) months, 18 patients died in the prone position group after a median follow-up period of 20.7 (8-29) months, and 21 patients died in the left lateral position group after a median follow-up period of 18.5 (12-33) months. ConclusionThe results confirm the feasibility and safety of this minimally invasive esophagectomy via thoracoscopy in lateral prone position, prone position, or left lateral position for patients with esophageal carcinoma. A possible advantage of lateral prone technique is that in case of an emergency, precious time could be saved in changing the position of the patient.
目的 评价国产吻合器和闭合器在食管癌消化道重建术中的应用价值。 方法 回顾性分析2005年3月-2008年4月期间收治的387例食管癌手术患者的临床资料,根据不同消化道重建方式分为手工吻合组(n=172)和器械吻合组(n=215),对两组患者吻合时间、术中出血量及术后并发症发生情况进行对比分析。 结果 全组无手术死亡。器械吻合组和手工吻合组术中出血量的差别无统计学意义(Pgt;0.05),但前者的吻合时间、住院时间均少于后者(Plt;0.05)。手工吻合组术后吻合口出血多于器械吻合组(5.2%比1.4%,Plt;0.05),发生吻合口漏亦多于器械吻合组(6.4%比2.8%,Plt;0.05)。随访1.5~2年,排除失访患者后,器械吻合组吻合口狭窄发生率低于手工吻合组(4.6%比10.3%,Plt;0.05)。 结论 国产吻合器与和缝合器用于食管癌的消化道重建安全有效,值得在基层医院推广应用。