Postoperative Complications in Esophageal Cancer: Addressing Survival Challenges
Postoperative complications significantly affect the prognosis of esophageal cancer patients undergoing esophagectomy. This letter highlights findings by Bona et al ., emphasizing the roles of inflammation, immune suppression, and malnutrition in mediating these outcomes. Complications such as pneumonia (30–50% incidence) and anastomotic leakage (5–20%) are linked to prolonged recovery, systemic inflammation, and higher recurrence rates. Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols and minimally invasive esophagectomy techniques have shown promise in mitigating complications and expediting recovery. Exploring molecular pathways connecting inflammation to tumor progression may offer innovative therapeutic strategies. These insights underscore the importance of multidisciplinary care and targeted interventions to improve survival outcomes.
