Background: The optimal surgical approach to the resection of gastoesophageal junction cancer is unknown. A comprehensive literature search was conducted to further compare the esophageal and gastric approaches to gastroesophageal junction cancer.
Methods: A systematic review of the literature from January 1990 to May 2018 was performed to determine whether an esophageal or gastric surgical approach offers better perioperative and oncologic outcomes.
Results: A total of 179 abstracts were identified and after excluding publications for non-English language, primary focus on neoadjuvant and/or adjuvant treatment, lack of comparison of surgical approaches or not addressing morbidity, mortality, or survival-related outcomes, a total of 14 nonrandomized, comparative studies were reviewed in detail.
Conclusions: The proximal and distant extent of the tumor based on Siewert type classification greatly influences choice of operation. Overall survival rates and surgical outcomes are comparable, and surgical approach should be dictated by patient factors.