化疗在治疗中晚期食管癌中的辅助作用

目的评价化疗在治疗中晚期食管癌中的作用。方法对1996年10月￣2003年12月收治的43例中晚期食管鳞癌患者行化疗+放射治疗(放化组),并与1989年10月￣1996年9月收治的45例只行放疗的中晚期食管鳞癌患者(单放组)对比。放化组的化疗方案为DF方案,即5-Fu425mg/m2,iv.drop,d1￣5,DDP20mg/m2,iv.drop,d1￣5,21天为1周期;放射治疗在化疗2周期后行三野等中心放疗,以6mV-X射线照射,放射量为60Gy/30Fr/6周,放疗后根据病情再化疗1￣2周期。单放组放射治疗方案同放化综合组。结果全部患者随访至2004年12月底,放化组的12个月、24个月生存率分别为76.7%、58.1%,单放组的12个月、24个月生存率分别为66.7%、48.9%,两组间生存率无统计学差异(χ2=2.09,P=0.108)。放化组的1年远处转移发生率为11.6%,低于单放组的28.9%(P<0.05),2年后两组远处转移无统计学差异。放化组的毒性反应大于单放组,降低了患者的生活质量。结论以DF方案化疗配合放疗治疗中晚期食管癌虽然降低了近期远处转移发生率,但其没有提高患者的生存率,反而增加了患者的毒副反应,不值得提倡。

Effect of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy on prognosis and surgery for esophageal carcinoma

AIM:To investigate the role of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in prognosis and surgery for esophageal carcinoma by a meta-analysis.METHODS:PubMed and manual searches were done to identify all published randomized controlled trials(RCTs) that compared neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy plus surgery(CRTS) with surgery alone(S) for esophageal cancer.According to the test of heterogeneity,a fi xed-effect model or a random effect model was used and the odds ratio(OR) was the principal measure of effects.RESULTS:Fourteen RCTs that included 1737 patients were selected with quality assessment ranging from A to C(Cochrane Reviewers' Handbook 4.2.2).OR(95% CI,P value),expressed as CRTS vs S(values>1 favor CRTS arm),was 1.19(0.94-1.48,P=0.28) for 1-year survival,1.33(1.07-1.65,P=0.69) for 2-year survival,1.76(1.42-2.19,P=0.11) for 3-year survival,1.41(1.06-1.87,P=0.11) for 4-year survival,1.64(1.28-2.12,P=0.40) for 5-year survival,0.82(0.39-1.73,P<0.0001) for rate of resection,1.53(1.33-2.84,P=0.007) for rate of complete resection,1.78(1.14-2.78,P=0.79) for operative mortality,1.12(0.89-2.48,P=0.503) for all treatment mortality,1.33(0.94-1.88,P=0.04) for the rate of adverse treatment,1.38(1.23-1.63,P=0.0002) for local-regional cancer recurrence,1.28(0.85-1.58,P=0.60) for distant cancer recurrence,and 1.27(0.86-1.65,P=0.19) for all cancer recurrence.A complete pathological response to chemoradiotherapy occurred in 10%-45.5% of patients.The 5-year survival benefi t was most pronounced when chemotherapy and radiotherapy were given concurrently(OR:1.45,95% CI:1.26-1.79,P=0.015) instead of sequentially(OR:0.85,95% CI:0.64-1.35,P=0.26).CONCLUSION:Compared with surgery alone,neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy can improve the long-term survival and reduce local-regional cancer recurrence.Concurrent administration of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy was superior to sequential chemoradiotherapy.

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for resectable esophageal carcinoma:A meta-analysis

AIM:To compare neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and surgery with surgery alone for resectable esophageal carcinoma. METHODS:We used MEDLINE and EMBASE databases to identify eligible studies and manual searches were done to ensure no studies were missed.Trial validity assessment was performed and a trial quality score was assigned. RESULTS:Eleven randomized controlled trials(RCTs) including 1308 patients were selected.Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy significantly improved the overall survival compared with surgery alone.Odds ratio(OR) [95%confidence interval(CI),P value],expressed as neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and surgery vs surgery alone,was 1.28(1.01-1.64,P=0.05)for 1-year survival,1.78(1.20-2.66,P=0.004)for 3-year survival,and 1.46(1.07-1.99,P=0.02)for 5-year survival.Postoperative mortality increased in patients treated by neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy(OR: 1.68,95%CI:1.03-2.73,P=0.04),but incidence of postoperative complications was similar in two groups (OR:1.14,95%CI:0.88-1.49,P=0.32).Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy lowered the local-regional cancer recurrence(OR:0.64,95%CI:0.41-0.99,P=0.04), but incidence of distant cancer recurrence was similar (OR:0.94,95%CI:0.68-1.31,P=0.73).Histological subgroup analysis indicated that esophageal squamous cell carcinoma did not benefit from neoadjuvantchemoradiotherapy,OR(95%CI,P value)was 1.16(0.85-1.57,P=0.34)for 1-year survival,1.34 (0.98-1.82,P=0.07)for 3-year survival and 1.41 (0.98-2.02,P=0.06)for 5-year survival. CONCLUSION:Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy can raise the survival rate of patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Serum transforming growth factor-β1 level reflects disease status in patients with esophageal carcinoma after radiotherapy

AIM: To evaluate the relationship between changes in serum transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) level and curative effect of radiotherapy (RT) in patients with esophageal carcinoma. METHODS: Ninety patients with histologically confi rmed esophageal carcinoma were enrolled. Serum samples for TGFβ1 analysis were obtained before and at the end of RT. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure serum TGFβ1 level. Multivariate analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between disease status and changes in serum TGFβ1 level. RESULTS: Serum TGFβ1 level in patients with esophageal carcinoma before RT was signifi cantly higher than that in healthy controls (P < 0.001). At the end of RT, serum TGFβ1 level was decreased in 67.82% (59/87) of the patients. The overall survival rate at 1, 3 and 5 years was 48.28% (42/87), 19.54% (17/87) and 12.64% (11/87), respectively. Main causes of death were local failure and regional lymph node metastasis. In patients whose serum TGFβ1 level decreased after RT, the survival rate at 1, 3 and 5 years was 61.02% (36/59), 28.81% (17/59) and 18.64% (11/59), respectively. The survival rate at 1 year was 17.86% (5/28) in patients whose serum TGFβ1 level increased after RT, and all died within 18 mo (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Serum TGFβ1 level may be a useful marker for monitoring disease status after RT in patients with esophageal carcinoma.

Multidisciplinary management of gastric and gastroesophageal cancers

Carcinomas of the stomach and gastroesophageal junction are among the five top leading cancer types worldwide. In spite of radical surgical R0 resections being the basis of cure of gastric cancer, surgery alone provides long-term survival in only 30% of patients with advanced International Union Against Cancer （UICC） stages in Western countries because of the high risk of recurrence and metachronous metastases. However, recent large phase-Ⅲ studies improved the diagnostic and therapeutic options in gastric cancers, indicating a more multidisciplinary management of the disease. Multimodal strategies combining different neoadjuvant and/or adjuvant protocols have clearly improved the gastric cancer prognosis when combined with surgery with curative intention. In particular, the perioperative （neoadjuvant, adjuvant） chemotherapy is now a well-established new standard of care for advanced tumors. Adjuvant therapy alone should be carefully discussed after surgical resection, mainly in individual patients with large lymph node positive tumors when neoadjuvant therapy could not be done. The palliative treatment options have also been remarkably improved with new chemotherapeutic agents and will further be enhanced with targeted therapies such as different monoclonal antibodies. This article reviews the most relevant literature on the multidisciplinary management of gastric and gastroesophageal cancer, and discusses future strategies toimprove Iocoregional failures.

Esophagectomy for locally advanced esophageal cancer, followed by chemoradiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy

AIM： To compare the efficacy and toxicity of a three-step combination therapy with post-operative radiation alone for locally advanced esophageal cancer.METHODS： Patients with T3-4 and N0-1 esophageal carcinoma from a number of institutions were non-randomly, prospectively enrolled in the study. All patients underwent single-stage curative en bloc esophagectomy. The patients were then assigned into one of two treatment groups based on treatment consisting of either post-operative concurrent chemoradiotherapy （CCRT） with weekly cisplatin 30 mg/m^2 followed by systemic adjuvant chemotherapy （four monthly cycles of cisplatin 20 mg/m^2 and 5-fluorouracil 1 000 mg/m^2 for five consecutive days）, or, post-operative radiation alone. The radiotherapy dose was 55-60 Gy for all patients. Primary end-point of this study was to assess the per-protocol patients＇ improvement of overall survival benefit. Secondary end-point was designed to evaluate both the per-protocol and intent-totreat patients＇ outcome of survival. RESULTS： A total of 60 patients （n=30 per group） were enrolled in this study. The two groups were generally comparable for demographic characteristics and hematological and non-hematological toxicities. The CCRT with weekly cisplatin was well tolerated, with significantly better overall survival （30.9 mo vs 20.7 mo; 95% CI, 27.5-36.4 vs 15.2-26.1） and 3-year survival （70.0% vs 33.7%; P=0.003）. Low histological grade of tumor （P〈0.001） was associated with favorable survival in these locally advanced patients. CONCLUSION： For locally advanced esophageal cancer, the combination of esophagectomy, post-operative CCRT with weekly cisplatin and systemic adjuvant chemotherapy is well tolerated and effective. A large-scale, prospective randomized trial of this regimen is in progress.

Endoscopic stenting and concurrent chemoradiotherapy for advanced esophageal cancer:A case-control study

AIM:To evaluate the role of endoscopic stenting with or without concurrent 3-dimensional conformal chemoradiotherapy (3D-CRT) in patients with inoperable esophageal cancer.METHODS:Advanced esophageal cancer patients indicated for esophagectomy received esophageal stents.A part of patients completed 3D-CRT after stenting.Efficacy was assessed by endoscopy and computed tomographic scan before and 4 wk after completion of the treatment.The median survival,3D-CRT toxicity and complications were compared between 3D-CRT and control groups.RESULTS:From 1999 to 2008,99 consecutive patients with T3/T4 disease and unsuitable for esophagectomy were placed with esophageal stents.Sixty-seven patients received 3D-CRT,while 36 patients treated withendoscopic stents alone were recruited as controls.After 3D-CRT treatment,the median tumor volume of 3D-CRT patients were reduced significantly from 43.7 ± 10.2 cm 3 to 28.8 ± 8.5 cm 3 (P < 0.05).The complete and partial response rate was 85.1%,and no response was 14.9%.After 3D-CRT,the incidence rate of T2 and T3 disease evident on CT scan increased to 78.4% while T4 decreased from 66.7% to 21.6% (P < 0.05).3DCRT Karnofsky Performance Status improved in 3D-CRT patients compared with the control group (P=0.031).3D-CRT patients had a longer survival than the control group (251.7 d vs 91.1 d,P < 0.05).And the median half-year survival rate in 3D-CRT group (91%) was higher than in the control group (50%,P < 0.05).The most common toxicity was leukocytopenia in the 3D-CRT group (46.7% vs 18.8%,P=0.008).The control group had a higher rate of restenosis than the 3D-CRT group (81.3% vs 9.0%,P < 0.05).The rate of nephrotoxicity was increased in 3D-CRT as compared with the control group (31.3% vs 15.6%,P < 0.05).CONCLUSION:3D-CRT can improve dysphagia in patients with inoperable esophageal carcinoma.3D-CRT combined with stenting results in better survival as compared with endoscopic stents used alone.

Metastatic basaloid-squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus treated by 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin

Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma （BSC） of the esophagus is a rare malignant disease. We report here a patient with recurrent esophageal BSC, who was successfully treated by systemic chemotherapy containing 5-fluorouracil （5-FU） and cisplatin （CDDP）. A 57-year-old woman was diagnosed as having SCluamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus upon endoscopic examination. Curative esophagectomy with lymph node dissection was performed under the thoracoscope. The pathological diagnosis of the surgical specimen was BSC. Five months after operation, the patient was diagnosed as having a recurrence of the BSC with metastases to the liver and spleen, and a right paraclavicular lymph node. She was given systemic chemotherapy consisting of continuous infusion of 800 mg/d of 5-FU and 3 h infusion of 20 mg/d of CDDP for 5 consecutive days every 4 wk. The metastatic lesions in the spleen and right paraclavicular lymph node disappeared, and the liver metastasis was apparently reduced in size after 2 courses of chemotherapy. The tumor regression was seen over 6 courses, with progression afterwards. Although subsequent treatment with CPT-11 and CDDP was not effective, docetaxel and vinorelbine temporarily controlled the tumor growth for 2 mo. 5-FU and CDDP combination may be useful for the patients with advanced BSC.

A Randomized Clinical Study on Combination of Concurrent Chemo-Radiotherapy and Thalidomide for Middle-Late Esophageal Cancer

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the response rate and tolerance of patients with middle-late esophageal carcinoma, who were treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy （CCRT） plus thalidomide.METHODS Sixty-five eligible patients with local middle-late esophageal carcinoma were randomly assigned to the treatment group （TG） and the control group （CG）. The 33 patients from the TG were treated with CCRT plus thalidomide （a 60-70 Gy of radiation dose, and 5-FU plus cisplatin; oral administration of thalidomide at a dose of 100 mg/d on the first week and 200 mg/d on the second. Both were taken with water, at bedtime until completion of the radiotherapy. In the CG, 32 patients received CCRT only. The clinical effects and tolerance to the CCRT between the 2 groups were compared.RESULTS The response rates of the therapeutic combination in the TG and CG were 87.9% and 68.7%, respectively. There were no statistical differences in comparing the response rates between the 2 groups （P 〉 0.05）; the local control rates in the TG and CG were 93% and 91%, respectively, and there were no statistical differences between the 2 groups （P 〉 0.05）; the 1-year survival rates of the patients in the TG and CG were 74.0% and 63.0%, respectively, without statistical differences between the 2 groups （P 〉 0.05）. The improvement rates of KPS scoring in the TG and CG were 57.6% and 31.3%, respectively. There were significant differences in comparing the improvement rates between the 2 groups （P 〈 0.05）. The incidence rates of nausea and vomiting were lower in the TG compared to the CG, with a statistical significance between the 2 groups （P 〈 0.05）. However, the incidence rates of constipation, lethargy and fatigue were higher in the TG than in CG, showing a statistically significant difference between the 2 groups （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION CCRT combined with thalidomide in treating esophageal carcinoma may improve the quality of life of the patients, the treatment may also raise patients＇ compliance to chemoradiotherapy, and possibly increase their long-term survival rate. Further studies related to this topic are needed.

Cyclooxygenase-2 expression after preoperative chemoradiotherapy correlates with more frequent esophageal cancer recurrence

AIM： To investigate the relationship between cycloo- xygenase-2 （COX-2）, and vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）, and to determine the clinical significance of this relationship in esophageal cancer patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy （CRT）. METHODS： Immunohistochemical staining was used to evaluate COX-2 and VEGF expression in 40 patients with histologically-confirmed esophageal squamous carcinoma （ESCC） who were undergoing preoperative CRT. RESULTS： Fourteen out of 40 ESCC patients showed a pathological complete response （CR） after CRT. COX-2 and VEGF protein expressions were observed in the cytoplasm of 17 and 13 tumors, respectively, with null expression in 9 and 13 tumors, respectively. COX-2 expression was strongly correlated with VEGF expression （P 〈 0.05）. There were also significant associations between COX-2 expression, tumor recurrence, and lymph-node involvement （P = 0.0277 and P = 0.0095, respectively）. COX-2 expression and VEGF expression had significant prognostic value for disease-free survival （log-rank test; P = 0.0073 and P = 0.0341, respectively）, but not for overall survival, as assessed by univariate analysis. expression correlates with VEGF expression and might be a useful prognostic factor for more frequent tumor recurrence in ESCC patients undergoing neoadjuvant CRT. These findings support the use of anti-angiogenic COX-2 inhibitors in the treatment of ESCC.

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for resectable esophageal cancer:an in-depth study of randomized controlled trials and literature review

Surgery following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy(NCRT) is a common multidisciplinary treatment for resectable esophageal cancer(EC). After analyzing 12 randomized controlled trials(RCTs), we discuss the key issues of surgery in the management of resectable EC. Along with chemoradiotherapy, NCRT is recommended for patients with squamous cell carcinoma(SCC) and adenocarcinoma(AC), and most chemotherapy regimens are based on cisplatin, fluorouracil(FU), or both(CF). However, taxane-based schedules or additional studies, together with newer chemotherapies, are warranted. In nine clinical trials, post-operative complications were similar without significant differences between two treatment groups. In-hospital mortality was significantly different in only 1 out of 10 trials. Half of the randomized trials that compare NCRT with surgery in EC demonstrate an increase in overall survival or disease-free survival. NCRT offers a great opportunity for margin negative resection, decreased disease stage, and improved loco-regional control. However, NCRT does not affect the quality of life when combined with esophagectomy. Future trials should focus on the identification of optimum regimens and selection of patients who are most likely to benefit from specific treatment options.

Successful outcome after combined chemotherapeutic and surgical management in a case of esophageal cancer with breast and brain relapse

Esophageal cancer (EC) is a highly lethal disease. Approximately 50% of patients present with metastatic EC and most patients with localized EC will have local recurrence or develop metastases, despite potentially curative local therapy. The most common sites of distant recurrence are represented by lung, liver and bone while brain and breast metastases are rare. Usually patients with advanced disease are not treated aggressively and their median survival is six months. We report a woman patient who developed breast and brain metastases after curative surgery. We treated her with a highly aggressive chemotherapeutic and surgical combination resulting in a complete remission of the disease even after 11-year follow-up. We think that in super selected patients with more than one metastasis, when functional status is good and metastases are technically resectable, a surgical excision may be considered as a salvage option and chemotherapy should be delivered to allow a systemic control.

Successful treatment for esophageal carcinoma with lung metastasis by induction chemotherapy followed by salvage esophagectomy: Report of a case

We here report a case of a 51-year-old man with lung metastasis from esophageal carcinoma that was initially treated by combination chemotherapy consisting of fluorouracil and nedaplatin. Because metastatic disease disappeared, salvage esophagectomy was performed. Although chest wall recurrence developed at the thoracotomy wound, prolonged survival of 48 months was achieved by local tumor resection and additional chemotherapy. This combination chemotherapy is regarded as a promising and considerable treatment for metastatic esophageal carcinoma.

The influence of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on immunity function in elderly patients with the stages of Ⅱ and Ⅲ esophageal cancer

Objective: We aimed to study the influence of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on immunity function in elderly patients with the stages of II and III esophageal cancer. Methods: Thirty-seven elderly patients (age ranged from 60 to 75 years) with the stages of II and III esophageal cancer underwent 2 cycles chemotherapy preoperatively with single-drug regimen (docetaxel, 35 mg/m2 once a week, on days 1, 8 and 15, at interval of 2 weeks for one cycle). Surgery were performed three weeks later. Blood samples were drawn separately on the day of admission, 1 day before operation, 7 day and 1 month after operation, and we conducted the Flow Cytometry to detect the levels of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+,CD4+/CD8+ and NK cells. Results: There were no significant differences in the levels of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+ and NK cells between before and after chemotherapy (P > 0.05). On day 7 after operation, the levels of CD3+, CD4+, CD4+/CD8+ and NK cells were degraded and CD8+ increased significantly (P < 0.05). One month after operation, the levels of CD3, CD4+, CD4+/CD8 and NK cells were higher than normal, and CD8 was depressed significantly (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy has no significant impact on cellular immune function in elderly patients with the stages of II and III esophageal cancer, it is an effective and safe treatment.

Caspase-cleaved cytokeratin-18 and tumour regression in gastro-oesophageal adenocarcinomas treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy

AIM:To examine cytokeratin-18(CK-18) and caspasecleaved CK-18 expression in tumours and correlate with clinicopathological outcomes including tumour regression grade(TRG) response.METHODS:Formalin-fixed human gastro-oesophageal cancers were constructed into tissue microarrays.The first set consisted of 122 gastric/gastro-oesophageal cancer cases not exposed to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and the second set consisted of 97 gastric/gastrooesophageal cancer cases exposed to pre-operative platinum-based chemotherapy.Expression of CK-18 and caspase-cleaved CK-18 was investigated using immunohistochemistry.RESULTS:CK18 was commonly expressed in gastrooesophageal tumours(92.6%).Fifty-six point seven percent of tumours previously exposed to neoadjuvant chemotherapy were positive for caspase-cleaved CK-18 expression compared to only 24.6% of tumours not previously exposed to neoadjuvant chemotherapy(P = 0.009).In patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy,caspase-cleaved cytokeratin-18 expression correlated with favourable TRG response(TRG 1,2 or 3,P = 0.043).CONCLUSION:This is the largest study to date of CK-18 and caspase-cleaved CK-18 expression in gastrooesophageal tumours.We provide the first evidence that caspase-cleaved CK-18 predicts tumour regression with neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Personalized Management of Anastomotic Leak after Surgery for Esophageal Carcinoma

Objective To summarize the management of anastomotic leak following surgery for esophageal car-cinoma. Methods The medical records of the patients developing digestive tract leak after surgery for esophageal carcinoma in our hospital from January 2003 to March 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. Results A total of 36 patients were included, in whom 13 developed cervical anastomotic leak, 18 had intra-thoracic anastomotic leak, and 5 had intra-thoracic gastric necrosis. Of these patients, 7 were treated with resurgery, 6 with esophageal stent implantation, and 23 with conservative treatment. Treatment lasted for 5 to 181 days, averagely 47.0±31.9 days. After management, 9 patients died (25.0%). Among seven patients with resurgery, four had deceased, two were cured, and one developed leak again and was switched to conservative treatment until discharged. All the 6 patients treated with stent implantation were cured. Of the 24 patients receiving conservative treatment (including one switched from resurgery), 18 (75.0%) were cured and 1 was not cured but survived. Conclusions Anastomotic leak following surgery for esophageal carcinoma should be treated individually based on the onset time, location, size, and extent of the leakage. Conservative treatment is still a safe and effective method.The efficacy of stent implantation needs further investigation to confirm.

Surgery with and without chemotherapy for localized carcinoma of esophagus:a meta-analysis

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with esophageal carcinoma undergoing radical surgery by meta-analysis. Methods: CBMDisc, CNKI, Pubmed databases were searched from January 1995 to June 2005. Randomized trials on comparison surgery plus adjuvant chemotherapy (S + C) and surgery alone for patients with local- ized carcinoma of esophagus were selected. RevMan 4.2 software was used for meta-analysis. Results: 7 studies were in- cluded in the meta-analysis. A total of 401 patients underwent radical surgery plus chemotherapy and 463 underwent surgery alone. Compared with surgery alone, the patients underwent S + C were significantly superior in the 3-year survival rate: the combined relative risk (RRs) of death was 0.83, 95% confidence interval (CI) was 0.71 to 0.95, P = 0.009. Conclusion: Based on the review, adjuvant chemotherapy has a benefit on the 3-year survival rate in the patients with esophageal carcinoma.

Epinephrine use during chemotherapy to treat severe tracheal stenosis secondary to advanced esophageal cancer:A case report and review of the literature

Dyspnea from tracheal stenosis due to compression by a tumor is an emergency that complicates therapy in oncology.We report a case of advanced esophageal cancer in a 56-year-old male who developed severe dyspnea due to airway compression by mediastinal lymph node enlargement.We used epinephrine by subcutaneous injection and aerosol inhalation to temporarily relieve dyspnea while the patient received bevacizumab and chemotherapy.The dyspnea had subsided considerably after 5 days,and the mediastinal lymph nodes were significantly reduced after 2 cycles of chemotherapy.However,the patient died of massive tracheal hemorrhage 2 months later.

Neoadjuvant Treatment for Esophageal Cancer

Because the con?icting data currently available from the performed randomized trials it is very di?cult to provide strict guidelines for the treatment of patients with locoregional advanced esophageal cancers. Surgery however, remains the standard of care for potentially resectable disease. Preoperative chemotherapy is still controversial with two large randomized trials resulting in two di?erent conclusions regarding the survival bene?t. Preoperative chemoradiation is also controversial since only one randomized trial showed a clear survival bene?t however, the patients treated with surgery alone in this trial had an unusually poor outcome. And the study by Urba et al was not powered enough to show a clear survival bene?t for patients treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation. The results of three metaanalysis of these randomized studies show lower rate of resection, higher rate of R0-resection, more often postoperative mortality and better prognosis for patients with neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy. As a consequence one may consider o?ering neoadjuvant chemotherapy or neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy to patients with locally- advanced disease under the premise that patients have a good performance status and understand the controversies about this therapeutic option. Larger trials with su?cient power to clearly detect survival bene?ts for patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy or radiochemotherapy are necessary before this therapeutic option will be the standard of care.

Clinical Studies of Postoperative Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy in Patients with Pathologic T_3 Esophageal Squamous Carcinoma

OBJECTIVE To evaluate how arterial infusion chemotherapy after radical surgery influences long-term surviva if patients with pathologic T3 （pT3） esophageal squamous carcinoma. METHODS We divided 190 patients with pathologic PT3 esophageal squamous carcinoma, confirmed by consecutive radical surgery, into an experimental group （surgery ＋ intra-arterial infusion, 56 T3N0M0 and 52 T3N1M0 cases）, and the remaining patients into a control group （surgery alone, 48 T3N0M0 and 34 T3N1M0 cases）. The experimental group was sub-grouped into 56 cases （26 T3N0M0 and 30 T3N1M0 cases） receiving 1 or 2 periods of chemotherapy, while 52 cases （30 T3N0M0 and 22 T3N0M0 cases） underwent 3 or more than 3 periods of chemotherapy. We used one to seven courses of selected arterial infusion chemotherapy of cisplatin （80 mg/m2 of body-surface area） and fluorouracil （800 mg/m2） with or without epirubicin at 3-4 weeks post operation. The interval between each period was 3-4 weeks. All cases were followed-up for more than 5 years. Survival rates were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier methods and survival differences between patients with and without selected arterial infusion chemotherapy were compared with the Log-rank test. Prognostic variables were entered into a Cox regression analysis model controlling for age, site, lymph node status, and treatment received. RESULTS The overall survival rates were not significantly different between the experimental group and the control group, but there was better survival for patients who received 3 or more than 3 courses of chemotherapy. Lymph node status （N） was an important factor in the prognosis. CONCLUSION Trans-catheter arterial infusion chemotherapy is a safe and effective method of therapy. Postoperative selective arterial infusion chemotherapy can improve the survival rate in patients with esophageal squamous carcinoma who were previously treated by radical surgery. However, this modality of therapy needs further investigation.