Outcomes
death, desirableOS, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, cancer, weight loss
RECURRENCE, CANCER, RECURRENCE
The primary original protocol endpoint (Supplementary Information The current AJCC Staging manual recommends that the removal of ≥30 regional LNs is desirableOS was defined as the time from surgery to death from any cause or the last follow-up, and DFS was defined as the time from surgery to recurrence or death from any cause or the last follow-up.A minimum follow-up period of 36 months was required for each patient after operation. Follow-up was conducted every 3 months for the first 2 years postoperatively, and every 6 months for the next 3 years.Most routine follow-up appointments included (1) physical examination and blood testing with carcinoembryonic antigen, cancer antigen 12-5, and cancer antigen 19-9 every 3 months for the first 2 years and every 6 months thereafter; (2) chest X-ray and abdominal computed tomographic scans every 6 months for 3 years; and (3) annual upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for 3 years. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) was recommended if recurrence was suspected. Recurrence was identified based on medical history and physical examination in combination with imaging evaluation, cytology, or tissue biopsy (preferred when feasible). Otherwise, patients attended follow-up visits at shorter intervals than the planned schedule. Patients with specific symptoms, such as abdominal mass, weight loss, or obstruction that could develop concurrently with recurrence were evaluated, regardless of their follow-up schedule.