Recurrence of squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus after curative surgery: rates and patterns on imaging studies correlated with tumour location and pathological stage

• Published in: Clinical radiology Vol. 60; no. 5; pp. 547 - 554
• Main Authors: Lee, S.J., Lee, K.S., Yim, Y.J., Kim, T.S., Shim, Y.M., Kim, K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Ltd 01-05-2005; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - diagnostic imaging; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - secondary; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - surgery; Cell differentiation, maturation, development, hematopoiesis; Cell physiology; CT oesophagus; Esophageal Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Esophageal Neoplasms - pathology; Esophageal Neoplasms - surgery; Esophagectomy - methods; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Lymphatic Metastasis; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Molecular and cellular biology; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local - diagnostic imaging; Neoplasm Staging; Neoplasms oesophagus; Oesophagus; Surgery; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Oesophagus; Neoplasms oesophagus; Surgery; CT oesophagus; Nuclear medicine; Relapse; Lung; Awareness; Sex; Malignant lymphadenopathy; Metastasis; Blood vessel; Diagnosis; Age; Tumor cell; Squamous cell carcinoma; Radiodiagnosis; Lymph node; Rhythm; Malignant tumor; Cell differentiation; Esophagus; Treatment; Radiology; Medical imagery; Computerized axial tomography
• ISSN: 0009-9260; 1365-229X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.crad.2004.09.002

Many factors have been related to recurrence after resection of squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus. These include age, gender, location and local stage of tumours, cell differentiation, lymph node metastasis and vascular involvement. The recurrence rates of squamous cell carcinoma after curative surgery are high (34–79%). Tumour recurrence is categorized as locoregional or distant. Lymph node recurrence and haematogenous metastasis to solid organs (commonly to the lung) are the usual patterns of recurrence. Awareness of recurrence patterns, particularly on imaging studies, is essential for the diagnosis of recurrent tumours on follow-up examinations.