Is the transthoracic approach no longer a viable option for Siewert type II esophagogastric junction carcinoma?

Despite substantial declines in gastric cancer incidence, that of adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG) has been rising remarkably worldwide and is drawing considerable attention as well as concern. AEG basically involves the anatomical border between the esophagus and the stomach, with some tumors being equally distributed between the two organs while others are predominantly in one. According to this anatomical distinction, debate persists as to whether AEG is a gastric cancer, or an independent esophageal cancer.