Long‐term results of definitive radiochemotherapy in locally advanced cancers of the cervical esophagus. Issue 7 (21st October 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gkika, E.; Gauler, T.; Eberhardt, W.; Stahl, M.; Stuschke, M.; Pöttgen, C.
• Is Part Of: Diseases of the esophagus. Volume 27:Issue 7(2014)
• Page Start: 678
• Page End: 684
• Publication Date: 2013-10-21
• Subjects: Esophagus -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.32
• DOI: 10.1111/dote.12146
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1120-8694

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Summary</title> <p>The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyze the long‐term effectiveness of combined chemoradiation as the definitive treatment of locally advanced cancers of the cervical esophagus. Patients received high‐dose external beam radiotherapy and concurrent cisplatin‐based chemotherapy. Some patients received intraluminal brachytherapy as a boost. In addition, a majority of the patients received cisplatin‐based induction chemotherapy before definitive chemoradiation. Fifty‐five patients (46 men, 9 women, median age 58 years, range 35–72 years) with cancers of the cervical esophagus (stage II: 20; stage III: 35 patients) were treated with definitive chemoradiation (median dose 60 Gy, range 50–70 Gy). Actuarial overall survival rates at 2, 3, 5, and 10 years were 35%, 29%, 25%, and 10%, respectively. Thirteen long‐term survivors were observed with a follow‐up of more than 5 years. Neither gender nor age, tumor length, tumor grade, or clinically detectable lymph node metastases was significant prognostic factors for survival. Twenty‐four patients (44%) developed local or regional recurrences, 15 (27%) distant metastases, and 8 (15%) patients developed a second malignancy. Acute and late toxicity of this treatment schedule was moderate. Concurrent chemoradiation offers a chance of long‐term survival for locally advanced unresectable carcinomas of the cervical esophagus, with long‐term survival rates above 24% and acceptable toxicity. These results substantiate the use of chemoradiation as a curative treatment option for cervical esophageal cancer.</p> </abstract>