Clinical staging using both EUS and PET demonstrated high accuracy for predicting cT1N0M0 oesophageal cancer pathological staging, but was inadequate for predicting staging for cT2N0M0 cancer. Clinical factors such as SUVmax and tumour differentiation could help select patients with cT1-T2N0M0 tumours that might be upstaged because of unexpected LN metastases.

According to our findings, ESL is a safe and feasible procedure that does not compromise oncological principles. It can be considered an appropriate alternative to pneumonectomy and should be considered in patients with centrally located tumours.

Background and objective: The prevalence of lung cancer has been increasing in healthy elderly patients with preserved pulmonary function and without underlying lung diseases. We aimed to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in healthy elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to select optimal candidates for surgical resection in this subpopulation. Methods: We included 488 patients older than 70 years with normal spirometry results who underwent curative resection for NSCLC (stage IA-IIB) between 2012 and 2016. Results: The median (interquartile range) age of our cohort was 73 (71-76) years. Fifty-two patients (10.7%) had PPCs. Severe PPCs like acute respiratory distress syndrome, pneumonia, and respiratory failure had prevalences of 3.7, 3.7, and 1.4%, respectively. Compared to patients without PPCs, those with PPCs were more likely to be male and current smokers; have a lower body mass index (BMI), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, more interstitial lung abnormalities (ILAs), and higher emphysema index on computed tomography (CT); and have undergone pneumonectomy or bilobectomy (all p < 0.05). On multivariate analysis, ASA classification ≥3, lower BMI, ILA, and extent of resection were independently associated with PPC risk. The short-term all-cause mortality was significantly higher in patients with PPCs. Conclusions: Curative resection for NSCLC in healthy elderly patients appeared feasible with 10% PPCs. ASA classification ≥3, lower BMI, presence of ILA on CT, and larger extent of resection are predictors of PPC development, which guide treatment decision-making in these patients.