title: Induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemotherapy and high-dose radiotherapy for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the upper-thoracic and midthoracic esophagus.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of an induction chemotherapy schedule followed by high-dose radiotherapy and concurrent chemotherapy for locally advanced squamous cell carcinomas of the upper and midthoracic esophagus. Patients were treated with three courses of fluorouracil, leucovorin, etoposide, and cisplatin-containing induction chemotherapy followed by high-dose external beam radiotherapy to 65 Gy in 6 weeks for T4 and obstructing T3 tumors. Transversable T3 tumors received 60 Gy in 6 weeks by external radiotherapy, followed by two high-dose-rate esophageal brachytherapy fractions of 4 Gy in 5-mm tissue depth. Concurrent to radiotherapy, cisplatin and etoposide were given. Long-term survival of 22 patients was 41% and 31% at 2 and 3 years, respectively, with a median follow-up of 39 months. The probability of locoregional tumor recurrence was 60% at 3 years for all patients and 30% for those with a partial or complete response to induction chemotherapy. Acute toxicity of this schedule was moderate. Long-term survivors had a good swallowing function. This schedule offers a considerable chance of long-term survival for patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinomas of the upper and midthoracic esophagus. Local in-field recurrences are the main risk after definitive radiochemotherapy. Dose escalation of radiotherapy is possible because of the observed low late toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiotherapy, University of Essen, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stuschke
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stahl
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wilke
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Walz
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oldenburg
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Stüben
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Seeber
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sack
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000379:methods; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011788:Quality of Life; D016019:Survival Analysis
chemical_list: D005047:Etoposide; D002945:Cisplatin; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil