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Siewert Classification of Adenocarcinoma of the Esophagogastric Junction: Still In or Already Out?

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Adenocarcinoma of the Esophagogastric Junction

Abstract

In 1987, Siewert and colleagues reported a prospective study in 107 patients with adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEGJ) in an attempt to establish a therapeutically relevant classification. Three different tumor types were defined within 5 cm of the cardia: type I representing a true esophageal cancer, type II a “real” carcinoma of the cardia, and type III a subcardial gastric cancer infiltrating the cardia ± distal esophagus. This classification was recommended by the International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus in 1995 and the International Gastric Cancer Association in 1997. Until now it is the most frequently used classification for AEGJ in the international literature both in the Western and Eastern hemispheres.

Whereas the suggested types I and III are generally accepted with respect to their different biology and therapeutic approach, the type II is a matter of ongoing debate.

This chapter tries to summarize the pros and cons of the Siewert classification.

Despite serious criticism, the Siewert classification enormously stimulated the scientific discussion in our common goal for the best therapeutic approach in AEGJ and will surely be around until replaced by a better classification system which is yet to be defined.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hirslanden Clinic, Surgical Center Zurich, Witellikerstrasse 40, Zürich, CH-8032, Switzerland

    Paul M. Schneider

  2. Clinic for Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, City Hospital Triemli, Birmensdorferstrasse 497, Zürich, CH-8063, Switzerland

    Paul M. Schneider

  3. Department of Surgery, University Hospital Geneva, Rue Gabrielle Perret-Gentil 4, CH-1211, Genève, Switzerland

    Stefan P. Mönig

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  1. Paul M. Schneider
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Correspondence to Paul M. Schneider .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Upper Gastrointestinal and General Surgery, University of Verona, Verona, Italy

    Simone Giacopuzzi

  2. Upper Gastrointestinal and General Surgery, University of Verona, Verona, Italy

    Andrea Zanoni

  3. Upper Gastrointestinal and General Surgery, University of Verona, Verona, Italy

    Giovanni de Manzoni

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Schneider, P.M., Mönig, S.P. (2017). Siewert Classification of Adenocarcinoma of the Esophagogastric Junction: Still In or Already Out?. In: Giacopuzzi, S., Zanoni, A., de Manzoni, G. (eds) Adenocarcinoma of the Esophagogastric Junction. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-28776-8_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-28776-8_7

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