title: Evaluation of pre- and postoperative chemotherapy for resectable adenocarcinoma of the esophagus or gastroesophageal junction.
abstract: Thirty-five consecutive patients with resectable adenocarcinoma of the esophagus or gastroesophageal junction were treated with two preoperative and three or four postoperative chemotherapy courses consisting of etoposide, fluorouracil, and cisplatin (EFP) to evaluate the rate of curative resection, clinical and pathologic response, toxic effects, and survival. One hundred thirty-seven courses with a median number of five courses (range, one to six) were administered. Preoperative EFP resulted in 17 (49%) major responses, including six patients who did not have carcinoma cells in the repeat endoscopic biopsy specimens and cytologic brushings. Among 32 patients who had surgery, 25 (78%) had curative resection, one patient had a complete pathologic response, and one had microscopic carcinoma in the resected specimen. Six patients had microscopic carcinoma at the resection margins and received postoperative radiotherapy. At a median follow-up of 20 months, the projected survival of 35 patients is 23 months (range, 6 to 33+). Fifteen patients died of their carcinomas, and 15 patients were alive (median follow-up, 20+ months; range, 15+ to 33+ months) with no evidence of relapse. There were no deaths related to chemotherapy, surgery, or radiotherapy. EFP-induced toxic reactions were moderate. Our data suggest that multiple courses of EFP are feasible. Future strategies for this disease should consider prolonged chemotherapy with regimens that result frequently in pathologic complete responses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston TX 77030-4096.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Ajani
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Roth
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McMurtrey
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Rich
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Abbruzzese
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Levin
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: DeCaro
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mountain
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D005047:Etoposide; D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil