Carboplatin and etoposide combined with radiotherapy for limited-stage small-cell esophageal carcinoma: three cases and review of the literature.
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.
Isoyama
Yuko
Y
Department of Clinical Radiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, Japan.
Shioyama
Yoshiyuki
Y
Nomoto
Satoshi
S
Ohga
Saiji
S
Nonoshita
Takeshi
T
Onishi
Kayoko
K
Matsuura
Shuji
S
Atsumi
Kazushige
K
Terashima
Koutaro
K
Hirata
Hideki
H
Honda
Hiroshi
H
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
D005047:Etoposide; D016190:Carboplatin