Single port thoracoscopic pulmonary metastasectomy can improve survival in esophageal cancer patients with pulmonary metastasis

Objectives: Esophageal cancer with pulmonary metastasis has a poor prognosis. Pulmonary metastasectomy provides benefits in selected patients; however, currently, there is no literature regarding single port surgery for these patients. We reviewed our institution’s data and analyzed patient outcomes after single port pulmonary metastasectomy. Methods: : We retrospectively reviewed our patients with esophageal cancer and pulmonary metastasis. We categorized them into two groups - the pulmonary resection group and the systemic treatment group. We compared the overall survival and progression-free survival between groups and also analyzed the surgical modality, which includes single or multiple port surgery. Results: : The analysis included 44 patients, 14 of whom received pulmonary metastasectomy. Ten patients underwent single port surgery. Single port pulmonary metastasectomy showed significant benefits on overall survival ( p =0.0009), while all pulmonary resection demonstrated benefits on overall survival ( p <0.0001) and progression-free survival ( p =0.038). Conclusions: : Single port pulmonary metastasectomy in patients with esophageal cancer demonstrated survival benefits even when this procedure was performed for tissue diagnosis.