Evidence-based approach to the treatment of esophagogastric junction tumors

Table 1 Potential advantages (+) and disadvantages (-) of total gastrectomy and esophagectomy for the treatment of esophagogastric junction tumors

Gastrectomy	Esophagectomy
+ Only abdominal approach, avoiding thoracotomy/thoracoscopic associated morbidity	+ Better proximal and circumferential resection margins
+ Adequate abdominal lymph node dissection	+ Extensive mediastinal lymph node dissection
+ No GERD/No PPI	+ Preservation of ¾ of stomach
- Inadequate mediastinal lymph node dissection	- Abdominal and thoracic approach
- Shorter proximal margins	- Hiatal herniation risk
- Vitamin B12 malabsorption	- Gastroesophageal reflux (necessity of PPI)
- Dumping	- Pylorospasm

GERD: Gastroesophageal reflux disease; PPI: Proton pump inhibitor.