title: Carboplatin and etoposide combined with radiotherapy for limited-stage small-cell esophageal carcinoma: three cases and review of the literature.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Small-cell esophageal carcinoma (SCEC) is a rare disease for which standard therapy has not yet been established. We report the results of three cases of limited-stage SCEC treated with combination therapy using carboplatin (CBDCA) and etoposide (VP-16) and radiotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The clinical stage according to the Japanese Classification of Esophageal Cancer 7th ed. was stage III in 2 cases and stage IVa in 1. These patients with limited-stage SCEC were treated at our institution with four cycles of CBDCA and VP-16, either concurrent with radiotherapy for the second two cycles (n = 2) or followed by radiotherapy after the last cycle (n = 1).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A complete response (CR) was obtained for all three patients, resulting in a response rate of 100%. Two patients are alive at 16.4 and 22.5 months after initial treatment. One patient died with myeloid leukemia at 43.5 months after initial treatment. None of the patients had loco-regional recurrence. Brain metastasis was detected in one patient at 7 months after initial therapy and was treated with stereotactic radiotherapy combined with whole brain irradiation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CBDCA and VP-16 in combination with radiotherapy should be considered an important treatment option for SCEC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Radiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Yuko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Isoyama
authors.forename: Yoshiyuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shioyama
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nomoto
authors.forename: Saiji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ohga
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nonoshita
authors.forename: Kayoko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Onishi
authors.forename: Shuji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matsuura
authors.forename: Kazushige
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Atsumi
authors.forename: Koutaro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Terashima
authors.forename: Hideki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hirata
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Honda
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D005047:Etoposide; D016190:Carboplatin