PURPOSE

Alcohol consumption is a strong risk factor for both cirrhosis and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Few studies have been conducted on the treatment of ESCC in patients with cirrhosis. This study aimed to analyze the clinical outcomes of ESCC in patients with cirrhosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Medical records of patients with esophageal cancer between January 2009 and December 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 479 patients with ESCC were included and divided into cirrhotic (n = 69) and non-cirrhotic (n = 410) groups. Clinical outcomes and survival according to treatment were compared between these groups.

RESULTS

The cirrhotic group was younger (median age 64 years vs. 69 years,  = 0.022) and had a higher proportion of male (97.1 % vs. 88.3 %,  = 0.042) than the non-cirrhotic group. Patients with cirrhosis were less likely to undergo surgery (31.9 % vs. 47.8 %,  = 0.015) and were more likely to receive no active cancer treatment (26.1 % vs. 13.7 %,  = 0.010). Overall survival was lower in the cirrhotic group (hazard ratio [HR], 1.41; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.99;  = 0.045), however, no difference was found between Child-Pugh class A patients and those in the non-cirrhotic group (HR, 1.04 [95 % CI, 0.69-1.56];  = 0.864). Postoperative mortality was significantly higher in cirrhotic group (27.3 % vs. 8.7 %,  = 0.011). Upon performing concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT), the clinical complete response rate (84.2 % vs. 43.3 %,  = 0.004) was better in the cirrhotic group. CRT yielded better overall survival for patients with cancer in the resectable stages in the cirrhotic group compared to surgery (HR, 0.19 [95 % CI, 0.42-0.84];  = 0.029].

CONCLUSIONS

In patient with ESCC and cirrhosis, chemoradiotherapy may be a better treatment option than surgery.