title: Sequential chemotherapy and radiotherapy for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite surgical improvements the prognosis of patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the esophagus remains poor, with a 5-year survival rate of less than 20%. Most patients do not undergo surgery with curative intent. The aim of this study was to assess the toxicity and efficacy of sequential chemoradiotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between May 1986 and June 1991, 50 patients with nonmetastatic SCC of the esophagus were included in this study. Three patients had recurrence after surgery, 8 patients were classified Stage I disease, 24 Stage II, 5 Stage III, and 10 Stage VI. Treatment consisted of cisplatin (100 mg/m2 on Days 1 and 29), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (600 mg/m2 on Days 2-9 and Days 30-33) and 30 Gy of radiotherapy (2 Gy x 15 on Days 8-26 and 30 Gy on Days 36-54).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-seven patients (74%) received the whole treatment course; treatment was modified for 8 patients because of Grades III and IV hematologic, digestive, or renal toxicity. Five patients did not complete treatment because of disease progression or death. Median survival was 13 months; 1- and 2- year survival rates were 63% (49-75) and 36% (25-50), respectively. No late treatment complications were observed (in the 11 survivors after 2 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sequential chemoradiotherapy of SCC of the esophagus was well tolerated with acceptable acute morbidity and resulted in local control and survival results at least equivalent to those in trials of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy plus surgery.
authors: Regional Cancer Institute, Centre Eugène Marquis, Rennes, France.
authors: E A
authors: EA
authors: Le Prise
authors: B C
authors: BC
authors: Meunier
authors: P L
authors: PL
authors: Etienne
authors: V C
authors: VC
authors: Julienne
authors: D M
authors: DM
authors: Gedouin
authors: J L
authors: JL
authors: Raoul
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Ben Hassel
authors: J P
authors: JP
authors: Campion
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Launois
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage
chemical_list: D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil