Radiotherapy with or without concurrent chemotherapy for lymph node recurrence after radical surgery of thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Outcomes of solitary postoperative recurrence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma diagnosed with FDG-PET/CT and treated with definitive radiation therapy

BACKGROUND

Surgical resection of esophageal cancer is frequently performed to achieve a complete cure. However, the postoperative recurrence rate is 36.8-42.5%, leading to poor prognosis. Radiation therapy has been used to treat recurrences; solitary recurrence has been proposed as a prognostic factor for radiation therapy, though its significance is unclear. ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography is a highly accurate diagnostic modality for esophageal cancer. This retrospective study aimed to analyze the outcomes of solitary postoperative recurrences of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma diagnosed with ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and treated with definitive radiation therapy.

METHODS

We examined 27 patients who underwent definitive radiation therapy for single or multiple postoperative recurrences of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma between May 2015 and April 2021. ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography was performed within 3 months before the commencement of radiation therapy. Kaplan-Meier, univariate, and multivariate analyses were performed to examine the overall survival and identify potential prognostic factors.

RESULTS

The 1-, 2-, and 3-year overall survival rates were 85.2%, 62.6%, and 47.3%, respectively, and solitary recurrence was the only significant factor associated with overall survival (P = 0.003). The 1-, 2-, and 3-year overall survival rates in patients with solitary recurrence were 91.7%, 80.2%, and 80.2%, respectively, and in patients with multiple recurrences they were 80.0%, 50.3%, and 25.1%, respectively. Multivariate analysis also showed solitary recurrence as a significant factor for overall survival.

CONCLUSIONS

When diagnosed with ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography, solitary recurrence appears to have a more favorable prognosis than multiple recurrences.

Clinical outcomes of salvage radiotherapy in patients with supraclavicular lymph node metastases after esophagectomy

Purpose

To evaluate the clinical outcomes of salvage radiotherapy in patients with supraclavicular lymph node (SCLN) metastases after esophagectomy.

Methods

After initial esophagectomy (R0 resection), clinical outcomes in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma with SCLN metastases during follow-up were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

A total of 114 patients were split into two groups: the salvage radiotherapy (SR) (n=89) and the control (NSR) (without salvage radiotherapy, n=25). The overall survival rates of 1 year, 3 years and 5 years were 81.6%, 31.4% and 8.6%, accordingly. The 1-year and 3-year survival after SCLN metastases (SASM) rates were 40.2% and 14.5%, respectively; the median SASM time was 10 months. In the SR group, the SASM rates of 1-year and 3-year were 48.1% and 18.9%, compared to 12.0% and 0% in the NSR group (p<0.001). Patients in the SR group who received combined radiochemotherapy experienced 1-year and 3-year SASM rates of 62.6% and 33.4%, compared to 41.9% and 16.5% with single radiotherapy (p<0.001). The salvage radiation dose revealed that the 1-year and 3-year SASM rates turned out to be 56.5% and 23.4% in group of ≥60 Gy, and 29.2% and 7.5% in group of <60 Gy (p<0.001). According to multivariate analysis, combined visceral metastases (CVM), combined mediastinal failure (CMF), salvage radiotherapy, salvage radiation dose and salvage treatment method possibly were identified as important prognostic variables. After propensity score matching (PSM), the above results were similar to those before PSM, except for that only salvage radiotherapy is possibly independent prognostic variables for survival after SCLN metastases in multivariate analysis.

Conclusion

It is possible that salvage radiotherapy can increase the survival rate of patients who receive SCLN metastases following esophagectomy.

Salvage radiotherapy for postoperative locoregional failure in esophageal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Locoregional recurrences following surgery for esophageal cancers represent a significant clinical problem with no standard recommendations for management. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis with the objective of studying safety and efficacy of salvage radiotherapy in this setting. All prospective and retrospective cohort studies, which studied patients who developed locoregional recurrence following initial radical surgery for esophageal cancer and subsequently received salvage radiation therapy (RT)/chemoradiation with all relevant information regarding survival outcome and toxicity available, were included. The quality of eligible individual studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale score for risk of bias. R package MetaSurv was used to obtain a summary survival curve from survival probabilities and numbers of at-risk patients collected at various time points and to test the overall heterogeneity using the I2 statistic. Thirty studies (27 retrospective, 3 prospective) published from 1995 to 2020 with 1553 patients were included. The median interval between surgery and disease recurrence was 12.5 months. The median radiation dose used was 60 Gy and 57% received concurrent chemotherapy. The overall incidence of acute grade 3/4 mucositis and dermatitis were 8 and 4%, respectively; grade 3/4 acute pneumonitis was reported in 5%. The overall median follow-up of all studies included was 27 months. The 1-, 2- and 3-year overall survival (OS) probabilities were 67.9, 35.9 and 30.6%, respectively. Factors which predicted better survival on multivariate analysis were good PS, lower group stage, node negativity at index surgery, longer disease-free interval, nodal recurrence (as compared to anastomotic site recurrence), smaller disease volume, single site of recurrence, RT dose >50 Gy, conformal RT, use of concomitant chemotherapy and good radiological response after radiotherapy. Salvage radiotherapy with or without concomitant chemotherapy for locoregional recurrences after surgery for esophageal cancer is safe and effective. Modern radiotherapy techniques may improve outcomes and reduce treatment-related morbidity.

Tumor response and survival outcomes of salvage concurrent chemoradiotherapy with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy and 5-fluorouracil/platinum-based chemotherapy for postoperative locoregional recurrence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Salvage concurrent chemoradiotherapy is effective against locoregional recurrence after curative resection of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. However, there is no consensus on its application. We investigated the outcomes of salvage concurrent chemoradiotherapy (60 Gy in 30 fractions) with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy and 5-fluorouracil/platinum-based chemotherapy.

METHODS

We retrospectively investigated the outcomes and prognostic factors in 51 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma treated with salvage concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

RESULTS

The median follow-up was 17.5 (range, 2.8-116.1) months. The overall response, complete response, and partial response rates were 74.5%, 49.0%, and 25.5%, respectively. The median progression-free survival was 8.2 months; the 3-year progression-free survival rate was 22.9%. The median overall survival was 23.1 months; the 3-year overall survival rate was 40.7%. Overall survival was significantly longer in patients with a complete response than in those without (median overall survival: not reached vs. 15.3 months); 3-year overall survival rate: 62.5% vs. 20.3% (hazard ratio: 0.222; P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that the independent prognostic factor for overall survival was < 25 mm longest diameter of metastatic lymph nodes (hazard ratio: 3.71).

CONCLUSIONS

Salvage concurrent chemoradiotherapy (60 Gy in 30 fractions) with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy and 5-fluorouracil/platinum-based chemotherapy was an effective and safe treatment for locoregional recurrence after curative resection of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, especially in those approaching a complete response. Additionally, a shorter longest diameter of metastatic lymph nodes may be associated with better long-term survival.

Analysis of prognostic factors in patients with lymph node recurrence after radical esophagectomy: importance of locoregional therapy

PURPOSE

Lymph node (LN) recurrence is frequently encountered in esophageal cancer. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of various factors, including loco-regional treatment of LN-only recurrence, on the survival rate.

METHODS

Among 941 patients who underwent curative resection for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in 2003-2016, we retrospectively reviewed 117 patients (12.4%) who developed LN-only recurrence.

RESULTS

One, 2, 3, and 4 or more metastatic LNs were found in 72, 22, 6, and 17 patients, respectively, after a median disease-free interval of 8.4 months (range 1.1-62.0). Among all cases, recurrence was out of the surgical field in 53 cases (45.3%). Recurrent LNs were controlled by loco-regional treatment in 29 (43.9%) and by chemotherapy alone in 3 patients (7.0%). The 3-year survival rates of patients who did and did not achieve local control were 53.2% and 5.2%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed significant relationships between post-recurrence survival rate and pStage I-II at initial surgery, no history of radiotherapy, recurrence in ≤ 2 LN, and loco-regional treatment of LN recurrence. Multivariate analysis identified recurrence in ≤ 2 LN (HR 0.3169, 95% CI 0.1023-0.5314, p = 0.0038) and loco-regional treatment (HR 0.1973, 95% CI 0.0075-0.3871, p = 0.0416) as the only two significant and independent prognostic factors of survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Recurrence limited to ≤ 2 LN and loco-regional treatment (chemoradiotheapy or surgery) for LN recurrence were associated with favorable survival of patients with history of radical esophagectomy followed by LN recurrence. Our results emphasize the importance of local control of LN recurrence regardless of location.

Outcomes and Prognostic Factors of Salvage Radiation for Postoperative Lymph Node Recurrence of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Purpose: Recurrence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in regional lymph nodes (LNs) after surgical section can be treated with salvage resection, radiotherapy (RT) or chemoradiotherapy (CRT). RT or CRT is more widely used in clinic. This paper investigates the effects, toxicities and prognostic risk factors of salvage RT or CRT on patients with LN recurrence.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical outcomes of 103 patients receiving salvage RT or CRT for LN recurrence after ESCC resection. In total, 39 patients received RT alone and 64 received concurrent CRT. All the patients received intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), administered with a median dose of 62 Gy (range, 50–70 Gy).

Results: The median follow-up time was 44.5 months, and median survival was 22.5 months (5.5–99.5 months). One-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival (OS) were 80.6, 37.0, and 25.8%, respectively. One- and 2-year progression free survival (PFS) were 57.3 and 34.0%, respectively. Grade 3 or above toxicity was low (16.5%) and no treatment-related deaths occurred. In univariate analysis of OS, pN0 (p = 0.039), smaller LN volume (≤25 cm³, p = 0.019), combined chemotherapy (p = 0.041) and single LN recurrence (p = 0.001) were associated with prolonged OS. And pT1-2 (p = 0.044), pN0 (p = 0.042), irradiation dose (>60 Gy, p = 0.044), combined chemotherapy (p = 0.019) and single LN recurrence (p = 0.002) were associated with prolonged PFS. In multivariate analysis, the patients with only one recurrent node had a significant better OS (HR = 0.556, 95% CI 0.324–0.956, p = 0.034) and PFS (HR = 0.528, 95% CI 0.339–0.847, p = 0.008).

Conclusions: Salvage RT or CRT for regional LN recurrence is effective and acceptable. Fewer recurrent nodes may indicate a better long-term survival.

Salvage chemoradiation therapy for recurrence after radical surgery or palliative surgery in esophageal cancer patients: a prospective, multicenter clinical trial protocol

BACKGROUND

Currently, adjuvant therapy is not recommended for patients with thoracic esophageal squamous cell cancer (TESCC) after radical surgery, and a proportion of these patients go on to develop locoregional recurrence (LRR) within 2 years. Besides, there is no evidence for salvage chemoradiation therapy (CRT) in patients with residual tumor after esophagectomy (R1/R2 resection). In addition, factors like different failure patterns and relationship with normal organs influence the decision for salvage strategy. Here, we aimed to design a modularized salvage CRT strategy for patients without a chance of salvage surgery according to different failure patterns (including R1/R2 resection), and further evaluated its efficacy and safety.

METHODS

Our study was designed as a one arm, multicenter, prospective clinical trial. All enrolled patients were stratified in a stepwise manner based on the nature of surgery (R0 or R1/2), recurrent lesion diameter, involved regions, and time-to-recurrence, and were further assigned to undergo either elective nodal irradiation or involved field irradiation. Then, radiation technique and dose prescription were modified according to the distance from the recurrent lesion to the thoracic stomach or intestine. Ultimately, four treatment plans were established.

DISCUSSION

This prospective study provided high-level evidence for clinical salvage management in patients with TESCC who developed LRR after radical surgery or those who underwent R1/R2 resection.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Prospectively Registered. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03731442 , Registered November 6, 2018.

Patterns of recurrence after surgery and efficacy of salvage therapy after recurrence in patients with thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Information on the optimal salvage regimen for recurrent esophageal cancer is scarce. We aimed to assess the patterns of locoregional failure, and evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of salvage therapy along with the prognostic factors in recurrent thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (TESCC) after radical esophagectomy.

METHODS

A total of 193 TESCC patients who were diagnosed with recurrence after radical surgery and received salvage treatment at our hospital were retrospectively reviewed from 2004 to 2014. The patterns of the first failure were assessed. The post-recurrence survival rate was determined using the Kaplan-Meier method and analyzed using the log-rank test. Multivariate prognostic analysis was performed using the Cox proportional hazard model.

RESULTS

The median time of failure was 7.0 months. Among the 193 patients, 163 exhibited isolated locoregional lymph node (LN) recurrence and 30 experienced locoregional LN relapse with hematogenous metastasis. Among the 193 patients, LN recurrence was noted at 302 sites; the most common sites included the supraclavicular (25.8%; 78/302) and mediastinal LNs (44.4%; 134/302), particularly stations 1 to 6 for the mediastinal LNs (36.4%; 110/302). The median overall survival (OS) was 13.1 months after recurrence. In those treated with salvage chemoradiotherapy, with radiotherapy, and without radiotherapy, the 1-year OS rates were 68.5, 55.0, and 28.6%; the 3-year OS rates were 35.4, 23.8, and 2.9%; and the 5-year OS rates were 31.8, 17.2, 2.9%, respectively (P < 0.001). Furthermore, patient survival in those who received salvage chemoradiotherapy was significantly better than those treated with salvage radiotherapy alone (P = 0.044). Multivariate analysis showed that the pathological TNM stage and salvage treatment regimen were independent prognostic factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Supraclavicular and mediastinal LN failure were the most common types of recurrence after R0 surgery in TESCC patients. Salvage chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy could significantly improve survival in esophageal cancer with locoregional LN recurrence.

Weekly Chemotherapy of 5-Fluorouracil plus Cisplatin Concurrent with Radiotherapy for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients with Postoperative Locoregional Recurrence: Results from a Phase II Study

LESSONS LEARNED

Weekly treatment with 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin, concurrent with radiotherapy, achieved promising response rates in patients with postoperative recurrent esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Superior toxicity results were also found.

BACKGROUND

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) is one of the treatment strategies for patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) with postoperative locoregional recurrence. However, the once every 3 weeks chemotherapy regimen causes a high incidence of toxicity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of weekly 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and cisplatin concurrent with radiotherapy in postoperative locoregional recurrent ESCC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients received four weekly chemotherapy cycles of cisplatin (25 mg/m² , day 1) plus 5-FU (1,176 mg/m² , day 1-3), and concurrent with radiotherapy (50.4-60 Gy). The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR). Secondary objectives were toxicity, disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

Between January 2013 and December 2015, 48 patients were enrolled. The ORR was 68.8% (12 patients with complete response, 21 patients with partial response), with DCR 68.8%. No treatment-related grade 4 adverse events occurred. Grade 3 hematologic toxicities were observed in eight (17%) patients. Grade 3 vomiting or esophagitis occurred in four (8%) patients each. The median PFS and OS were 13.94 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.75-51.05) and 27.43 months (95% CI, 5.278-49.58; Fig. 1).

CONCLUSION

Weekly 5-FU and cisplatin concurrent with radiotherapy achieved a promising response rate and improved toxicity in patients with postoperative locoregional recurrent ESCC.

Recurrence and prognostic model for identifying patients at risk for esophageal cancer after surgery

Objective

The aim of this study was to construct a risk model to assess overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with esophageal cancer (EC) after surgery.

Patients and methods

A total of 872 consecutive EC patients who had undergone surgery between February 2009 and October 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. The cutoff for risk value (RV) was inferred by receiver operating characteristic curves and the Youden index. A log-rank test was used to compare the survival curves, and a Cox regression analysis was performed to clarify the significant prognostic factors.

Results

The area under the curve was 0.688 for OS and 0.645 for DFS. The survival rates were 69.4% (259/373) and 39.1% (195/499), and the rates of recurrence were 19.2% (70/364) and 27.6% (132/479), respectively, for RV<0.218 and RV≥0.218 (c²=78.83, P<0.001; c²=9.07, P=0.003; respectively). A multivariate Cox regression analysis identified cases suffering from higher overall mortalities with RV≥0.218 compared to RV<0.218 (HR=1.45; 95% CI, 1.21–2.02; P=0.015); similar results were also found for DFS (HR=1.38; 95% CI, 1.03–1.86; P=0.033). Kaplan–Meier survival curves showed that cases with RV<0.218 had better OS and DFS than cases with RV≥0.218 (log rank = 75.80, P<0.001; log rank = 24.78, P<0.001).

Conclusion

This model could be applied to an integrated assessment of recurrence and prognostic risk after the surgical treatment of EC.

Involved-field chemoradiotherapy for postoperative solitary lymph node recurrence of esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND

For patients with postoperative lymph node (LN) recurrent esophageal cancer, the appropriate irradiation field in chemoradiotherapy (CRT) remains controversial. We assessed the clinical outcomes and prognostic factors related to involved-field CRT for postoperative solitary LN recurrence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated 21 patients who had received curative resection, with LN recurrence of ESCC. Patients received CRT using 5-fluorouracil plus cisplatin or docetaxel, prescribed at 60 Gy in 30 fractions. We evaluated the pattern of failure, toxicities, survivals, and prognostic factors. We defined elective nodal failure (ENF) as recurrence in a regional LN without involved-field failure.

RESULTS

The median follow-up duration was 32 months (range, 4-106 months). Nine patients experienced failure-4 (19%) within involved-field and 5 (24%) with distant metastasis. No patients had ENF. We observed no severe toxicities. The 2-year overall survival (OS) rate was 78%. In the univariate analysis of OS, two factors, the maximal diameter of the metastatic LN < 25 mm and the absence of serum p53 antibodies (s-p53-Abs), were associated with a significantly better prognosis (p = 0.025 and p = 0.01, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Involved-field CRT for postoperative solitary LN recurrence of ESCC did not cause ENF and was without severe toxicities. Two factors, a length of the metastatic LN < 25 mm and the absence of s-p53-Abs may improve the treatment outcome. Involved-field CRT is a treatment option worthy of consideration for postoperative solitary LN recurrence of ESCC.

Clinical outcomes and prognostic factors of chemoradiotherapy for postoperative lymph node recurrence of esophageal cancer

Background

The therapeutic strategies and prognostic risk factors in patients with lymph node (LN) recurrence of esophageal cancer remain controversial. We assessed clinical outcomes and prognostic factors related to the use of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for LN recurrence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after curative resection.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated survival and prognostic factors in 57 patients with LN recurrence of ESCC after curative resection. Patients received CRT using 5-fluorouracil plus cisplatin (FP) or docetaxel. Radiotherapy was delivered at 2 Gy (total dose, 60-66 Gy; median, 60 Gy).

Results

The median follow-up duration was 24 (range, 3-116) months. The overall survival (OS) rates at 2, 3 and 5 years were 43.7%, 36.9% and 27.6%, respectively. In the univariate analysis of OS, treatment with FP, a single LN recurrence, and a single regional recurrence were associated with a significantly better prognosis (P = 0.04, P = 0.027 and P = 0.0001, respectively). In the multivariate analysis, the combination chemotherapy regimen [hazard ratio (HR), 2.50; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.23-5.07] and the number of the regional LNs with recurrence (HR, 5.76; 95% CI, 1.22-27.12) were independent prognostic factors.

Conclusion

Approximately 28% of ESCC patients with LN recurrence after curative resection could achieve long-term survival with CRT. Treatment with FP or patients with a single regional recurrence might improve the treatment outcome.

Salvage radiochemotherapy for lymph node recurrence after radical surgery of esophageal cancer

To evaluate the efficacy of salvage radiochemotherapy (SRC) in patients with recurrent lymph node after radical surgery in esophageal cancer.This study enrolled 58 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who underwent SRC for lymph node recurrence after radical surgery from August 2011 to November 2015 at our hospital. Survival rates were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method with the log-rank test. Multivariate analysis was conducted using the Cox model.The overall 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates after radical surgery were 94.8%, 53.0%, and 29.6%, respectively. The 1- and 3-year survival rates after SRC were 68.7% and 26.9%, respectively. The major acute toxicities were esophagitis and neutropenia, while most toxicities were grade 1 or 2. There was no unexpected increase in serious adverse events or treatment-related deaths. The results of multivariate analysis showed that time to recurrence (odds ratio [OR]: 0.25, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.11-0.53, P = .0004), T stage (OR: 2.75, 95%CI: 1.16-6.49, P = .021), and prophylactic radiotherapy/chemotherapy (PRC, OR: 0.39, 95%CI: 0.16-0.98, P = .045) were determinants of postoperative overall survival, and PRC was the only factor affecting the outcome of SRC (OR: 0.28, 95%CI: 0.12-0.70, P = .006).SRC is an effective treatment for recurrent lymph node after radical surgery of esophageal cancer.

Local field radiotherapy without elective nodal irradiation for postoperative loco-regional recurrence of esophageal cancer

Background

Radiotherapy is an effective treatment for the postoperative loco-regional recurrence of esophageal cancer; however, the optimal treatment field remains controversial. This study aims to evaluate the outcome of local field radiotherapy without elective nodal irradiation for postoperative loco-regional recurrence of esophageal cancer.

Methods

We retrospectively investigated 35 patients treated for a postoperative loco-regional recurrence of esophageal cancer with local field radiotherapy between December 2008 and March 2016. The median irradiation dose was 60 Gy (range: 50-67.5 Gy). Thirty-one (88.6%) patients received concurrent chemotherapy.

Results

The median follow-up period was 18 months (range: 5-94 months). The 2-year overall survival was 55.7%, with a median survival time of 29.9 months. In the univariate analysis, the maximal diameter ≤20 mm (P = 0.0383), solitary lesion (P = 0.0352), and the complete remission after treatment (P = 0.00411) had a significantly better prognosis. A total of 27 of 35 patients (77.1%) had progressive disease (loco-regional failure [n = 9], distant metastasis [n = 7], and both loco-regional failure and distant metastasis [n = 11]). No patients had Grade 3 or greater mucositis.

Conclusion

Local field radiotherapy is a considerable treatment option for postoperative loco-regional recurrence of esophageal cancer.

Phase II Trial of Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy Concurrent With Chemotherapy for Postoperative Node-Positive Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of intensity-modulated radiotherapy concurrent with weekly docetaxel in patients with node-positive esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after radical surgery. Between January 2011 and December 2013, a total of 46 eligible patients were enrolled. All patients received intensity-modulated radiotherapy concurrent with weekly docetaxel (20 mg/m²). Patients were treated 5 days per week at 2.0 Gy/day. The total dose of external radiotherapy given was 50 Gy in 25 fractions. The primary endpoints included treatment completion and safety. The secondary endpoint was to assess whether the approach would achieve a 1-year survival rate of 80% or higher. The median duration of follow-up was 18 months (range: 2–41 months). The 1-year overall survival and progression-free survival rate were 91.2% and 80.4%, respectively. The major acute toxicities were esophagitis and neutropenia. While most cases were grade 1 or 2, grade 3 neutropenia and esophagitis were observed in seven (15.2%) and five patients (10.9%), respectively. The toxicities were controllable and transitory. There were no unexpected cases of serious adverse events or treatment-related deaths. Our study confirms that intensity-modulated radiotherapy with concurrent weekly docetaxel is an effective and safe treatment in postoperative node-positive patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. The identified treatment regimen is of interest for a phase III trial.

Influence of negative lymph node in No 7 on survival of patients with middle thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Background

The overall survival (OS) of patients with thoracic esophageal cancer is poor because of the high rate of lymph node metastases. However, recent studies found that the negative lymph node (LN) may also influence the patients’ OS. The purpose of this study is to investigate which negative LN stations play a key role in OS prediction.

Method

Our study included the retrospective records of 99 patients, who were identified with middle thoracic esophageal squamous cell cancer after esophagectomy. The maximum follow-up time was 6 years. Cox regression models were employed to determine the association between the negative LN and OS of patients. After applying Kaplan–Meier method to calculate OS of patients with positive and negative LNs, the log-rank tests were used to assess the difference between them.

Result

The hazard ratio of the total number of negative LNs was 0.937 (P=0.001), and the length of tumor was 1.166 (P=0.038). Multivariate regression results showed that the numbers of positive LNs in No 3 and 7 stations and negative LNs in No 109 and 7 stations were significantly related to OS, and their P-values were 0.017, 0.001, 0.020, and 0.022, respectively. The OS of the patients who had positive and negative LNs in No 7 station was significantly different (P=0.028).

Conclusion

No 7 is the most important among the negative LN stations which prolong OS. More attention should be paid to this area when making treatment plan for patients with no negative LNs identified in operation.

Concurrent radiotherapy and weekly chemotherapy of 5-fluorouracil and platinum agents for postoperative locoregional recurrence of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma

The most optimal management for postoperative locoregional recurrence of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma is still controversial. Several studies have reported the feasibility and efficacy of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT), mostly with three-weekly or four-weekly schedule of chemotherapy. However, treatment compliance was not quite satisfactory, probably due to treatment-related toxicities. Since CCRT with weekly chemotherapy regimens have demonstrated a favorable toxicity profile as well as promising survival in certain types of cancer, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of radiotherapy concurrently with weekly chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and platinum agents for patients with postoperative locoregional recurrence of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma in our center. Twenty-seven consecutive patients who were diagnosed with postoperative locoregional recurrence of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma and received CCRT with weekly chemotherapy of 5-FU and platinum agents were retrospectively analyzed. Our data showed that the present protocol of radiotherapy combined concurrently with weekly chemotherapy of 5-FU and platinum agents was a safe and effective salvage treatment for postoperative locoregional recurrence of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Salvage radiation therapy and chemoradiation therapy for postoperative locoregional recurrence of esophageal cancer

The purpose of this retrospective study was to assess the efficacy of salvage radiation therapy (RT) or chemoradiation therapy (CRT) for locoregional recurrence (LR) of esophageal cancer after curative surgery. Forty-two patients who received salvage RT or CRT for LR of esophageal cancer after curative surgery between November 2000 and May 2012 were reviewed. The intended RT regimen was 60 Gy in 30 fractions combined with concurrent platinum-based chemotherapy. Median follow-up periods were 17.9 months for all evaluable patients and 28.2 months for patients still alive (19 patients) at analysis time. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates were 81.2 ± 6.4%, 51.3 ± 8.6%, and 41.1 ± 8.7%, respectively, with a median survival time of 24.3 ± 4.1 months. Out of 41 evaluable patients, 16 patients (39%) were alive beyond 2 years from salvage therapy. However, univariate analyses for overall survival showed no significant prognostic factor. Grade 3 or higher leukocytopenia was observed in 46% of the patients. Salvage RT or CRT for LR after surgery for esophageal cancer was safe and effective. These therapies may offer long-term survival to some patients. RT or CRT should be considered for LR.

Recurrence risk model for esophageal cancer after radical surgery

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to construct a risk assessment model which was tested by disease-free survival (DFS) of esophageal cancer after radical surgery.

METHODS

A total of 164 consecutive esophageal cancer patients who had undergone radical surgery between January 2005 and December 2006 were retrospectively analyzed. The cutpoint of value at risk (VaR) was inferred by stem-and-leaf plot, as well as by independent-samples t-test for recurrence-free time, further confirmed by crosstab chi-square test, univariate analysis and Cox regression analysis for DFS.

RESULTS

The cutpoint of VaR was 0.3 on the basis of our model. The rate of recurrence was 30.3% (30/99) and 52.3% (34/65) in VaR <0.3 and VaR ≥0.3 (chi-square test, (χ) (2) =7.984, P=0.005), respectively. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year DFS of esophageal cancer after radical surgery was 70.4%, 48.7%, and 45.3%, respectively in VaR ≥0.3, whereas 91.5%, 75.8%, and 67.3%, respectively in VaR <0.3 (Log-rank test, (χ) (2) =9.59, P=0.0020), and further confirmed by Cox regression analysis [hazard ratio =2.10, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2649-3.4751; P=0.0041].

CONCLUSIONS

The model could be applied for integrated assessment of recurrence risk after radical surgery for esophageal cancer.

Three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy with concurrent chemotherapy for postoperative recurrence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: clinical efficacy and failure pattern

Background

To assess the therapeutic outcome and failure pattern of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT)-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for recurrence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) after radical surgery.

Methods

Treatment outcome and failure pattern were retrospectively evaluated in 83 patients with localized cervical and thoracic recurrences after radical surgery for thoracic esophageal SCC. All patients were treated with 3DCRT-based CCRT (median radiation dose 60 Gy), in which 39 received concurrent cisplatin plus 5-fluorouracil (PF), and 44 received concurrent docetaxel plus cisplatin (TP). Treatment response was evaluated at 1–3 months after CCRT.

Results

With a median follow-up of 34 months (range, 2–116 months), the 3-year overall survival (OS) of all the patients was 51.8% and the median OS time was 43.0 months. The overall tumor response rate was 75.9% (63/83), with a complete remission (CR) rate of 44.6% (37/83). In univariate analysis, tumor response after CCRT (p = 0.000), recurrence site (p = 0.028) and concurrent chemotherapy (p = 0.090) showed a trend favoring better OS. Multivariate analysis revealed that tumor response after CCRT (p = 0.000) and concurrent chemotherapy (p = 0.010) were independent predictors of OS. Forty-seven patients had progressive diseases after CCRT, 27 had local failure (27/47, 57.4%), 18 had distant metastasis (18/47, 38.3%) and 2 had both local and distant failures (2/47, 4.3%).

Conclusions

3DCRT-based CCRT is effective in postoperatively recurrent esophageal SCC. Patients that obtained complete remission after CCRT appeared to achieve long-term OS and might benefit from concurrent TP regimen. Local and distant failures remained high and prospective studies are needed to validate these factors.

Long-term results of radiochemotherapy for solitary lymph node metastasis after curative resection of esophageal cancer

PURPOSE

To evaluate the long-term efficacy and toxicity of definitive radiochemotherapy for solitary lymph node metastasis after curative surgery of esophageal cancer.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

We performed a retrospective review of 35 patients who underwent definitive radiochemotherapy at Tohoku University Hospital between 2000 and 2009 for solitary lymph node metastasis after curative esophagectomy with lymph node dissection for esophageal cancer. Radiotherapy doses ranged from 60 to 66 Gy (median, 60 Gy). Concurrent chemotherapy was platinum based in all patients. The endpoints of the present study were overall survival, cause-specific survival, progression-free survival, irradiated-field control, overall tumor response, and prognostic factors.

RESULTS

The median observation period for survivors was 70.0 months. The 5-year overall survival was 39.2% (median survival, 39.0 months). The 5-year cause-specific survival, progression-free survival, and irradiated-field control were 43.3%, 31.0% and 59.9%, respectively. Metastatic lesion, size of the metastatic lymph node, and performance status before radiochemotherapy were significantly correlated with prognosis. Complete response and partial response were observed in 22.9% and 57.1% of the patients, respectively. There was no Grade 3 or higher adverse effect based on the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE v3.0) in the late phase.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on our study findings, approximately 40% of patients with solitary lymph node metastasis after curative resection for esophageal cancer have a chance of long-term survival with definitive radiochemotherapy.