[Randomized trial of combined chemotherapy including high dose cisplatin and radiotherapy for esophageal cancer].

A prospective randomized trial in 64 esophageal cancer patients was conducted from 1986 to 1989. The patients were randomized into two groups-PPF (DDP 100 mg/m2 + pingyangmycin + 5-FU) regimen plus radiotherapy (combined group) or radiotherapy alone (control group). The overall response rate and CR rate in the combined group were 87.5% (28/32) and 40.6% (13/32). Those of the control group were 81.3% (26/32) and 21.9% (7/32), respectively. The overall response rates were similar in these two groups, but the CR rate in the combined groups was higher than that of the control group. The 1-year survival rates in the combined and control groups were 77.4% (24/31) and 45.2% (14/31) (p less than 0.01). The 2-year survival rates were 56.3% (9/16) and 34.6% (9/26), respectively (p greater than 0.05). Our preliminary results show that combined chemotherapy including high dose cisplatin and radiotherapy may improve the therapeutic result of esophageal cancer.