[IMRT-based preoperative neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC): an analysis of outcome and prognosis].

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the outcome and prognostic factors of IMRT-based preoperative neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in patients with thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

METHODS

Clinical data of 62 patients with thoracic ESCC who received IMRT-based neoajuvant chemoradiotherapy from January 2009 to January 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. The radiation therapy was given 1.8-2 Gy/fraction per day over 5 days per week with 6 MV X-rays, and then all patients underwent esophagectomy and lymphadenectomy.

RESULTS

Among the 62 patients, the R0 resection rate was 96.8%. Twenty (32.3%) patients achieved pCR and 56 (90.3%) cases got down-staging. Grade Ⅲ marrow suppression and esophagitis were seen in 8 (12.9%) and 2 (3.2%) patients, respectively. Eleven (17.7%) patients experienced postoperative complications and three died. The median follow-up was 27 months. The 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 88.0%, 63.3% and 44.2%, respectively, with a corresponding disease-free survival rate of 68.1%, 54.8%, and 43.9%, respectively.The univariate analysis showed that pre-treatment stage Ⅱ, down-staging, T/N pCR, good tumor response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, pN0 and R0 resection were favorable prognostic factors (P<0.05). The multivariate analyses indicated that pre-treatment stage was an independent prognostic factor.

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with thoracic ESCC, IMRT-based neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery can achieve a higher R0 resection rate, down-staging rate, higher pCR rate, and a better tolerance. The incidence of postoperative complications is low. Pre-treatment stage, down-staging, pathological tumor response, lymph node status and R0 resection results are prognostic factors, and the pre-treatment stage is an independent prognostic factor.