The 11th edition of the Japanese Classification of Esophageal Cancer (EC) was published in 2017. Some correction was made in the depth of tumor invasion to be consistent with the TNM classification by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). With regard to surgery, short‐term safety and long‐term effectiveness under thoracotomy/video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery are expected to be proven by the Japan Clinical Oncology Group (JCOG)1409 study. Results of nutritional management and countermeasures for adverse events not only during the perioperative period but also during EC chemotherapy were reported. From now on, the pursuit of low invasiveness and radicality is desired. Esophageal surgery is also expected to be safe at all institutions. To determine the optimal modality of preoperative treatment and a novel chemo(radio)therapy regimen for patients with distant metastasis, the results of the ongoing JCOG1109 and 0807 studies are being released. The effect of the addition of molecular targeted drugs on chemotherapy and concurrent chemoradiation has not yet improved overall survival. Immune checkpoint inhibitor drugs could offer a potential new treatment approach for patients with treatment‐refractory advanced squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The Cancer Genome Atlas Research Network reported the results of a comprehensive genome analysis and molecular analysis of SCC and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. Further differentiation of SCC and adenocarcinoma by molecular characterization analysis may be useful for the development of clinical trials and targeted drug therapies as precision medicine. The era of ultimate minimally invasive surgery and personalized treatment has begun. Large, prospective studies will be required to confirm the value of these advancements.

Purpose We investigated the effect of glutamine (Gln) and an elemental diet (ED) on chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis in esophageal cancer patients. Methods Thirty patients were randomized to the control group (no treatment: n = 10), Gln group (oral intake of 8910 mg Gln/day: n = 10), or Gln plus ED group (total oral intake of 8862 mg Gln/day, including the Gln in ED: n = 10). Oral administration of Gln and ED began 1 week before chemotherapy and continued during treatment. Oral mucositis was evaluated during 2 cycles of chemotherapy using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v3.0. Results The incidence of grade ≥2 oral mucositis was 60 % in the control group, 70 % in the Gln group, and 10 % in the Gln plus ED group. Gln plus ED showed a significant preventive effect on the development and severity of oral mucositis. By multivariate analysis, Gln plus ED and cancer stage were independent factors affecting chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis. The percentage of change in body weight and diamine oxidase activity from before chemotherapy was higher in the Gln plus ED group than in the control group. Conclusions Oral administration of Gln plus ED may prevent chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis in esophageal cancer patients.

Background and purpose The optimal chemotherapeutic protocol for the treatment of esophageal cancer has not yet been established. A dose-escalation study of docetaxel combined with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was performed to determine the optimal dose in patients with advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Patients and method We studied a total of 18 patients who had previously untreated thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma with T4 tumors and/or metastasis. The patients received an infusion of docetaxel at different dose levels (levels 1, 2, 3: 30, 35, 40 mg/m², respectively) and an infusion of cisplatin (40 mg/m²) on days 1 and 15 plus a continuous infusion of 5-FU (400 mg/m²/day) on days 1–5 and 15–19. Results Dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) included febrile neutropenia and leukopenia. DLT occurred in 2 of 6 patients at level 1, 2 and in 3 of 6 patients at level 3. The response rate was 88.9%, including a complete response rate of 33.3%. Conclusions To minimize toxicity and maximize dose intensity, we elected to investigate a biweekly regimen. The maximum tolerated dose was level 3, and the recommended dose was determined to be docetaxel 35 mg/m² with cisplatin 40 mg/m² plus 5-FU 400 mg/m², administered biweekly. This regimen was tolerable and highly active. A phase II study has been started.

The prognosis of esophageal cancer patients is still unsatisfactory. Although a docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-Fu (DCF) regimen has been reported, it is often difficult to accomplish because of severe toxicity. Therefore, we developed a new biweekly DCF (Bi-DCF) regimen and previously reported the recommended dose in a phase I dose-escalation study. We then performed a phase II study of Bi-DCF for advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Patients with clinical stage II/III were eligible. Patients received 2 courses of chemotherapy: docetaxel 35 mg/m² with cisplatin 40 mg/m² on days 1 and 15 and 400 mg/m² 5-fluorouracil on days 1–5 and 15–19 every 4 weeks. After completion of the chemotherapy, patients received esophagectomy. The primary endpoint was the completion rate of protocol treatment. Thirty-two patients were enrolled. The completion rate of protocol treatment (completion of two courses of preoperative chemotherapy and R0 surgery) was 100 %. During chemotherapy, the most common grade 3 or 4 toxicities were neutropenia (31.3 %). No treatment-related death was observed, and the incidence of operative morbidity was tolerable. The overall response rate after the chemotherapy was 90.3 %. This Bi-DCF regimen was well tolerated and highly active. This trial was registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network (No. UMIN 000014625).

Background: Between April 2005 and December 2012, we performed laparoscopic colorectal resection with regional lymph node dissection on 273 cases of colorectal cancer patients. However, Laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery requires a high degree of skill. Any surgeon who is going to embark on these difficult resections should have at a minimum laparoscopic suturing skills in order to be able to close the peritoneal defect. Methods: In laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer, the intracorporeal suture technique required to close the pelvic cavity is very difficult. Barbed sutures have recently been proposed to facilitate laparoscopic suturing. Two patients with rectal cancer who underwent laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection (APR) with intracorporeal closure of the pelvic cavity from September to October 2012 were enrolled in this study. Results: We present our initial experience of two consecutive cases of intracorporeal closure of the pelvic cavity by totally laparoscopic APR. After clinical follow-up, the two patients have no complaints and have shown no signs of recurrence. Conclusions: We hypothesized that barbed sutures could potentially improve the efficiency of intracorporeal closure of the pelvic cavity after laparoscopic APR. Further, we expect that use of the V-Loc™ will reduce intra-operative stress on the endoscopic surgeon.

Background/Aim: This study aimed to assess whether low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) is effective and safe in preventing postoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients undergoing esophageal cancer surgery. Patients and Methods: In this single-institution, prospective, randomized trial, 73 patients with esophageal cancer undergoing esophagectomy were randomly divided into the enoxaparin group (E group) and intermittent pneumatic compression group (I group). The primary endpoint was efficacy of enoxaparin, and secondary endpoints were evidence of bleeding and serum anti-Xa activity in the E group. Results: The E group comprised 42 patients and the I group comprised 31 patients. Deep vein thrombosis was observed in 0 (0%) patients in the E group and 7 (22.6%) patients in the I group (p=0.002). Soluble fibrin monomer complex was significantly lower in the E versus I group on day 8 (p<0.001). D-dimer was significantly lower in the E versus I group on days 2, 8, and 15 (p=0.008, p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively). Conclusion: VTE was significantly reduced by using enoxaparin.