High Postoperative IL-6 Levels Deteriorate Outcomes in Esophageal Cancer

Elevated serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels one day post-minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) correlate with significantly poorer overall survival rates and nutritional status in esophageal cancer patients. In a cohort of 336 patients, those with IL-6 levels ≥60 pg/ml exhibited a 2-year overall survival rate of 69.8%, compared to 80.6% for those with lower levels. The study underscores the necessity of targeting IL-6 in perioperative care to potentially enhance patient outcomes after surgery.