Background/aim: We assessed the efficacy and toxicity of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the cervical esophagus.
Patients and methods: We retrospectively analyzed 37 patients treated with definitive CCRT. The patients received radiotherapy at a fraction dose of 2 Gy (total; 60 or 70 Gy) and concurrent chemotherapy. Adjuvant chemotherapy consisted of 1 to 2 cycles of 5-fluorouracil plus cisplatin or nedaplatin.
Results: The median follow-up was 119.0 months, the 10-year overall survival, progression-free survival and laryngectomy-free survival rates were 35.6, 19.9 and 30.2% respectively. In the univariate analysis, T stage (T4 vs. T1-3) was the only prognostic factor for PFS. The most common acute toxicity was leukocytopenia (Grade 3; 27%). As for late toxicities, 4 patients (11%) developed Grade 2 or 3 esophageal strictures.
Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrated that CCRT yielded satisfactory clinical outcomes with acceptable toxicities.
Keywords: Chemoradiotherapy; cervical esophageal carcinoma; prognostic factor; squamous cell carcinoma.
Copyright© 2017, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.