title: Local effectiveness and complications of neoadjuvant therapy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: radiotherapy versus chemoradiotherapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate tumor responses to neoadjuvant therapy, according to the histopathological findings of surgical specimens of patients operated and treated for squamous cell carcinoma of the middle third and distal esophagus.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective nonrandomized study including 97 patients distributed as follows: Group I - 81 (83.5%) underwent neoadjuvant radiation therapy, and group II - 16 (16.5%) underwent neoadjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy. A third group of 26 patients undergoing esophagectomy alone was used for comparison of postoperative complications. The characteristics of each patient (age, gender and race), tumor site, staging, and histological evaluation of treatment modalities were reviewed and analyzed. Tumor response to neoadjuvant therapy was evaluated by histopathology of the specimen.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no statistically significant differences regarding race, gender, age, staging and postoperative complications in patients in the three groups. Patients undergoing radiotherapy and neoadjuvant chemotherapy showed more satisfactory tumor reduction, with improved local efficacy when compared to the group only submitted to neoadjuvant radiotherapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study suggests that radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy was more efficient in reducing tumor site when compared to the group treated with radiotherapy. In addition, neoadjuvant therapy did not increase the postoperative complications when compared to patients undergoing surgery alone.
authors.affiliation: School of Medical Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Valdir
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tercioti Junior
authors.forename: Luiz Roberto
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.forename: João de Souza
authors.initials: Jde S
authors.lastname: Coelho Neto
authors.forename: José Barretto Campelo
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Carvalheira
authors.forename: Nelson Adami
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Andreollo
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000628:therapy*; D059248:Chemoradiotherapy; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies