title: Radiochemotherapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in elderly patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The goal of this retrospective study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of curative radiochemotherapy (CRT) in elderly patients with esophageal squamous cell cancer (SCC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 1986 and 2011, 38 consecutive patients aged over 75 years with esophageal SCC were initially treated with a CRT regimen comprising radiation therapy at a dose of 60 Gy and two cycles of chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil/cisplatin.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fourteen patients were aged over 80 and 24 under 79 years. Complete treatment compliance was obtained in 30 (78.9%) of the patients. Chemotherapy was terminated and the dose of radiation reduced in 7 and 1 patients, respectively. The overall incidence of CRT-related complications was 86.8% (33 patients). Grade 3 leukocytopenia was observed in 6 (15.8%) patients, all of whom recovered promptly. A complete response was observed in 17 patients (44.7%). The overall 3-year survival rate was 32.0%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Curative CRT is safe and may improve overall and progression-free 3-year survival rates in elderly patients aged more than 75 years with esophageal SCC.
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hagiwara
authors.forename: Mitsugu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kochi
authors.forename: Masashi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fujii
authors.forename: Keio
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Hidenori
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tamegai
authors.forename: Megumu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Yuriko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takayama
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Suda
authors.forename: Youichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Teshima
authors.forename: Tadatoshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takayama
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D059248:Chemoradiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil