• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Esophagectomy Safe for Obese Patients

Posted on: Tuesday, 30 January 2007, 21:00 CST

A special type of surgery to remove the esophagus in patients with esophageal cancer is safe for people who are obese, say U.S. scientists.

Since the obesity epidemic of the last 20 years has increased the incidence of reflux disease, which has produced a 350-percent increase in the incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma, the researchers think this information is good news for thoracic surgeons and oncologists.

John Alexander and his colleagues at the University of Michigan Health system studied 133 profoundly obese patients with a body mass index of 35 or more who underwent transhiatal esophagectomy (THE) at the University of Michigan Health System between 1977 and 2006.

The study group was compared to a control group of matched lean patients undergoing the procedure, and the team found that both populations had similar morbidity and mortality statistics, despite the difference in weight.

THE allows surgeons to remove the esophagus without going through the chest, making it a safer and less traumatic procedure.

In contrast to squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus, which is caused by excessive smoking or alcohol consumption, adenocarcinoma is produced when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus and erodes the esophageal lining. The body replaces the lining with one similar to that found in the intestines, a condition called Barrett's esophagus, and this produces a higher incidence of adenocarcinoma.

The study was presented Tuesday at the 43rd annual meeting of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons in San Diego.

Source: United Press International

More News in this Category