High dose radiation with chemotherapy followed by salvage esophagectomy among patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Locoregional failure is a major problem associated with chemoradiation treatment for squamous cell esophageal carcinoma. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility, efficacy, and toxicity of preoperative radiation (dose > 50 Gy) with platinum-based chemotherapy followed by esophagectomy in locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma.

METHODS: Data of patients with cT2-cT4 or node positive squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus who received trimodality treatment between February 2006 and June 2015 were reviewed.

RESULTS: Forty-four patients were treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy, volumetric-modulated arc therapy or three-dimensional radiation therapy. The median radiation dose was 60 Gy. The average volume of the lungs receiving 10 Gy was 48.1%, 20 Gy was 24.5%, and the average mean lung dose was 14 Gy. After chemoradiation, R0 resection was achieved in 31 patients (71%). Patients who received >60 Gy had a higher pathologic complete remission rate than those in the lower dose group (59.1% vs. 36.4%). R0 resection and radiation dose >60 Gy were associated with better overall survival in Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. The median follow-up duration was 22.4 months and median survival was 25.6 months. Two-year overall, progression-free survival and locoregional control rates were 55.9%, 28.6%, and 56%, respectively. The most common grade 3-4 toxicities were esophagitis (63.6%) and neutropenia (25%). Grade 3-4 postoperative morbidities included surgical wound infection (2.3%), acute renal failure (2.3%), and anastomosis stricture (2.3%).

CONCLUSION: Trimodality treatment with a high preoperative radiation dose and chemotherapy yielded a good pathologic complete response rate, and long-term survival with low toxicities.