The Impact of Neoadjuvant Therapy for Gastroesophageal Adenocarcinoma on Postoperative Morbidity and Mortality

Background and Objectives: We sought to study the impact of neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) on postoperative complications following surgical resection of adenocarcinomas of the stomach and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ). Methods: We compared the postoperative outcomes of 308 patients undergoing a surgery-first approach and 145 patients undergoing NAT followed by curative-intent surgery for adenocarcinomas of the stomach and GEJ from 1995-2014. Results: Patients receiving NAT were more likely to be younger, have tumors of the GEJ, to undergo esophagogastrectomy and D2 lymphadenectomy, and to have more advanced stage disease than patients undergoing surgery first. There were no differences in overall 30-day morbidity or mortality rates between the groups, yet patients undergoing surgery first were more likely to have higher-grade complications than those undergoing NAT. Age >65 years, higher ASA score, concomitant splenectomy, more advanced tumor stage, and year of surgery were independent risk factors for postoperative morbidity, but receipt of NAT was not an independent predictor of postoperative morbidity. Conclusions: Despite having more advanced disease and undergoing higher-risk surgical procedures, patients with adenocarcinomas of the stomach or GEJ who receive NAT prior to surgery are no more likely to suffer postoperative complications than patients treated with a surgery-first approach. (C) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.