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September 10, 2025

Prognostic Effect of Positive Radial Margin After Macroscopic Tumor Clearance in Esophagectomy for Esophageal Squamous Cell Cancer

Key Points

Patients with a true-R1 margin experienced a significantly higher recurrence rate than those with R0 resections.
Among 97 patients, overall survival rates showed no significant difference between R0 and R1 margin classifications.
The study indicates that true-R1 margins better stratify patients at risk for local recurrence post-surgery.
Findings may guide surgical decisions and postoperative management in esophageal cancer treatment.

Abstract

Abstract Background Complete resection is linked to better survival for esophageal squamous cell cancers. The definition of positive margin depends on the pathologic reporting system used. Despite precise definitions by pathological examination, the concept of residual disease from involved radial margin is not clearly understood surgically. No actual barrier exists between the thoracic esophagus and surrounding structures like the pleura, trachea and aorta. Cancer cells are commonly detected at the radial margin even after precise anatomical dissection of the primary tumor away from adjacent structures. This study aims to investigate the prognostic impact of positive radial margin after macroscopic tumor clearance(R1). Methods In a single tertiary center between 2002 and 2020, patients who underwent three-phase esophagectomy for pT3/ypT3 esophageal squamous cell cancer were studied. Only histologically-proven R0/RM+ resections were included, proximal/distal margin involvement and R2 disease were excluded. Clinicopathological data was analyzed from a prospectively managed database. Positive radial margin is defined as: in Analysis I—cancer found within 1 mm of the radial margin (close-R1); in Analysis II—microscopic involvement of the radial margin (true-R1). The rate and pattern of recurrence and overall survival of R0 resections were compared with close- or true-R1. Results Of 97 patients, in Analysis I: R0 it was significantly lower when compared with true-R1 patients (35.4vs.73.3%,p = 0.006). All true-R1 patients with disease recurrence developed local recurrence (n = 11). Overall median survival was not significantly different when R0 patients were compared to close-R1 (158.6vs.93.9 months,p = 0.076). Similarly this was not different between R0 & true-R1 (139.1vs.75.8 months,p = 0.599). Conclusion When only pT3/ypT3 tumors were studied, true-R1 margin better-stratified patients who would develop local recurrence. Overall survival with R0 resections were better although statistically insignificant, regardless of the definition of radial R1 margin.

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