Role of the neoadjuvant therapy in the treatment of advanced carcinoma of the esophagus

• Published in: Contemporary oncology (Poznań, Poland) Poland), 2000-03, Vol.4 (2), p.80
• Main Authors: Dabrowski, Andrzej, Wallner, Grzegorz, Misiuna, Pawel, Polkowski, Wojciech
• Format: Article
• Language: eng ; pol
• ISSN: 1428-2526; 1897-4309

The aim of this study was to compare microscopically radical resection (R0) rate after surgery alone, preoperative chemotherapy, and preoperative chemo-/radiotherapy. Between 1992-1997, 101 patients were operated for squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. Thirty four patients were treated by surgery alone, in 42 patients surgery followed preoperative chemotherapy with cisplatin (20 mg/m2/dobe; days: 1-5 i 17-21 days) and 5-FU (300 mg/m2/dobe; for 21 days). In 25 patients concurrently with chemotherapy, radiotherapy was applied in fractions (for 15 days) up to total dose of 3000 cGy. Postoperative mortality and morbidity was 15% and 50%, respectively. In the chemotherapy group, complete response (CR) rate was 4,8%, partial response (PR) was 80,9%, and stabile disease (SD) was observed in 14,3% of patients. In the chemo-/radiotherapy group the CR, PR, and SD rate were 8%, 80%, and 12%, respectively. The R0 resection rates after surgery alone, preoperative chemotherapy and chemo-/radiotherapy were 3%, 26%, and 40%, respectively. Conclusion: in patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus, preoperative chemo- and/or radiotherapy improves microscopically radical resection rate, as compared to surgery alone.