title: Induction Chemotherapy Followed by Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy in Locoregional Esophageal Cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The object of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of induction chemotherapy followed by concomitant chemoradiotherapy in locoregional esophageal cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between December 1992 and December 1999, 43 patients with locoregional esophageal cancer were enrolled in this phase II trial. Patients were treated with 2-cycles of induction chemotherapy followed by concomitant chemoradiotherapy. F-P chemotherapy consists of 1,000 mg/m2/Day of 5-FU as continuous infusion on day 1~5 and 80 mg/m2 of cisplatin as an intravenous bolus on day 1 and was repeated every 3~4 weeks. All patients received 60 Gy of external beam radiation concomitantly with F-P chemotherapy; intraluminal brachytherapy was added in 12 patients. A total of 4 cycles of chemotherapy were delivered. No further treatment was planned in patients who achieved complete remission after completion of the treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the 43 patients entered, 35 patients completed the protocol. Of the 35 evaluable patients, 12 patients (34%) achieved complete response and 13 patients (37%) achieved partial response. In 26 of 33 patients, dysphagia was improved. At a median follow-up of 22 months, the 2-year and 5-year survival rates were 39% and 19%, respectively. The median survival duration of the complete responder group was 69 months (4~100 months) and the 2-year survival rate of the complete responder group was 82%. Toxicities were tolerable, comprised of mucositis and cytopenia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy in locoregional esophageal cancer is well tolerated and effective.
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: H G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: I G
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Shim
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: W S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: W T
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: O J
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: K Y
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Chae
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lee
keywords: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy; Esophageal neoplasm; Induction chemotherapy