Chemoradiation Followed by Surgery Compared With Chemoradiation Alone in Squamous Cancer of the Esophagus: FFCD 9102

Thinking through the multimodal treatment of localized oesophageal cancer: the point of view of the surgeon

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review examines current developments and controversies in the multimodal management of oesophageal cancer, with an emphasis on surgical dilemmas and outcomes from the surgeon's perspective.

RECENT FINDINGS

Despite the advancement of oncological neoadjuvant treatments, there is still no consensus on what regimen is superior. The majority of patients may still fail to respond to neoadjuvant therapy and suffer potential harm without any survival advantage as a result. In patients who do not respond, adjuvant therapy is still often recommended after surgery despite any evidence for its benefit. We examine the implications of different regimens and treatment approaches for both squamous cell cancer and adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus.

SUMMARY

The efficacy of neoadjuvant treatment is highly variable and likely relates to variability of tumour biology. Ongoing work to identify responders, or optimize treatment on an individual patient, should increase the efficacy of multimodal therapy and improve patient outcomes.

A single-institution phase I feasibility study of dose-escalated IMRT for non-operative locally advanced esophageal carcinoma

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Dose escalation with IMRT to 60 Gy for esophageal cancer is feasible.

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Dose escalation with cisplatin/5-FU still results in significant toxicity.

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Improved local control, but comparable survival compared to historical controls.

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Pretreatment weight loss was found to be an independent predictor of poor survival.

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Our dose escalation study is one of few with predominant adenocarcinoma histology.

Background and purpose

Radiation dose escalation to improve poor outcomes with chemoradiation in locally advanced esophageal carcinoma is limited in part by increased toxicity. This Phase I study investigates the use of IMRT to improve tolerability of dose escalation.

Materials and methods

A single-institution, prospective study was conducted between 2007 and 2013 for individuals with inoperable esophageal carcinoma. Gross disease received 60 Gy in 30 fractions and at-risk sites received 54 Gy with simultaneous integrated boost. Concurrent chemotherapy primarily consisted of cisplatin/5-FU. The primary objective was to assess feasibility (<15% rate of grade 4–5 toxicity). Secondary objectives included assessment of overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS), and locoregional (LRR) and distant recurrence.

Results

Twenty-six patients were enrolled with median follow up of 17.6 months (range 0.1 to 152.0). The majority were AJCC 7th edition Stage III (54%), distal esophagus primary (81%), and adenocarcinoma histology (85%). Twenty-one patients (81%) completed their course of radiation therapy, while only 55% received 2 cycles of concurrent cisplatin/5-FU. One grade 5 and one grade 4 cardiac event occurred, both during chemoradiation and before receiving 50 Gy. The 3-year OS was 48.6% (95% CI: 32.5 to 72.2%) and PFS was 28.5% (95% CI: 14.6 to 55.5%). Half developed distant failure with LRR occurring in 10 patients (38%), isolated in 5 patients.

Conclusion

While feasibility was demonstrated, toxicity and compliance remained limiting factors with outcomes similar to historical controls. There remains an uncertain role for dose escalation in definitive management of locally advanced esophageal cancer.

Galectin-1 Expression Is Associated with the Response and Survival Following Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy in Locally Advanced Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Simple Summary

Galectin-1 has been found to be involved in therapeutic resistance in a variety of cancers. However, the prognostic significance of galectin-1 expression in patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) treated with chemoradiotherapy remains unknown. Immunohistochemically, we observed that galectin-1 overexpression in pretreatment biopsied specimens was significantly associated with a lower pathological complete response rate, worse overall survival and disease-free survival in 93 patients with locally advanced ESCC receiving preoperative chemoradiotherapy. Our findings suggest that galectin-1 may be a potential therapeutic target for patients with ESCC treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy.

Abstract

The galectin-1 has been found to be involved in poor outcomes after treatment of a variety of cancers. To the best of our knowledge, however, the significance of galectin-1 expression in the sensitivity to chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) of patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains unclear. Expression levels of galectin-1 were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and correlated with the treatment outcome in 93 patients with locally advanced ESCC who received preoperative CCRT between 1999 and 2012. Galectin-1 expression was significantly associated with the pathological complete response (pCR). The pCR rates were 36.1% and 13.0% (p = 0.01) in patients with low and high galectin-1 expression, respectively. Univariate analyses revealed that galectin-1 overexpression, clinical 7th American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage III and a positive surgical margin were significant factors of worse overall survival and disease-free survival. In multivariate analyses, galectin-1 overexpression and a positive surgical margin represented the independent adverse prognosticators. Therefore, galectin-1 expression both affects the pCR and survival in patients with locally advanced ESCC receiving preoperative CCRT. Our results suggest that galectin-1 may be a potentially therapeutic target for patients with ESCC treated with preoperative CCRT.

Palliative Surgery Outcomes for Patients with Esophageal Cancer: An NCDB Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Many patients with esophageal cancer are not candidates for surgical resection with curative intent, given the advanced stage of disease at presentation. Palliative surgery is one treatment option, but relative survival of palliative surgery has not been described. This study aims to describe the outcomes of palliative surgery in patients with esophageal cancer.

METHODS

We used the National Cancer Database to identify patients with esophageal cancer who received palliative surgery or non-surgical palliation-which consisted of palliative radiation and palliative chemotherapy without any surgery. The outcome of interest was overall survival. Characteristics of patients were compared between the palliative surgery group and the non-surgical group using rank sum test or chi square test. Survival differences between groups were compared using Kaplan Meier estimate and log rank test, and Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

A total of 14,589 patients were included in the analysis, including 2,812 (19.2%) receiving palliative surgery and 11,777 (80.7%) receiving non-surgical palliation (6,512 palliative radiation and 5,265 palliative chemotherapy). Median overall survival in palliative surgery patients was 5.5 mo, shorter than non-surgical palliation (6.4 mo, P = 0.004). However, when correcting for age, sex, nodal status, metastases, Charlson score, histology, academic center, and private insurance, there was no difference in survival between palliative surgery and non-surgical palliation in Cox proportional hazard modeling (HR 1.03 (0.975-1.090), P = 0.281).

CONCLUSIONS

Palliative surgery in advanced esophageal cancer is associated with poor overall survival but is similar to other palliative modalities. Palliative Surgery for esophageal cancer patients should be used sparingly given these poor outcomes.

Results of a Phase 1/2 Trial of Chemoradiotherapy With Simultaneous Integrated Boost of Radiotherapy Dose in Unresectable Locally Advanced Esophageal Cancer

Importance

Effective treatment options for locally advanced esophageal cancer are limited, and rates of local recurrence after standard chemoradiotherapy remain high.

Objective

To evaluate toxic effects, local control, and overall survival rates after chemoradiotherapy with a simultaneous integrated boost of radiotherapy dose to the gross tumor and nodal disease for patients with unresectable locally advanced esophageal cancer.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A phase 1/2, single-arm trial was conducted in 46 patients from April 28, 2010, to April 9, 2015 (median follow-up, 52 months [range, 2-86 months]), at a tertiary academic cancer center. Outcomes of the study patients were compared with those of 97 similar patients treated at the same institution from January 10, 2010, to December 5, 2014, as part of the interim analysis. Statistical analysis was performed from December 15, 2018, to February 12, 2019.

Interventions

Chemoradiotherapy with a simultaneous integrated boost of radiotherapy dose (50.4 Gy to subclinical areas at risk and 63.0 Gy to the gross tumor and involved nodes, all given in 28 fractions) with concurrent docetaxel and capecitabine or fluorouracil.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Toxic effects, local (in-field) control, and overall survival rates.

Results

All 46 patients (11 women and 35 men; median age, 65.5 years [range, 37.3-84.4 years]) received per-protocol therapy, as intensity-modulated photon therapy (39 [85%]) or intensity-modulated proton therapy (7 [15%]); 11 patients (24%) ultimately underwent resection. No patients experienced grade 4 or 5 toxic effects; the 10 acute grade 3 toxic events were esophagitis (4), dysphagia (3), and anorexia (3) and the 3 late grade 3 toxic events were all esophageal strictures. The actuarial local recurrence rates were 22% (95% CI, 11%-35%) at 6 months, 30% (95% CI, 18%-44%) at 1 year, and 33% (95% CI, 20%-46%) at 2 years. Overall, 15 patients (33%) experienced local failure, at a median interval of 5 months (range, 1-24 months). The median overall survival time was 21.5 months (range, 2.3-86.4 months). Exploratory comparison with a 97-patient contemporaneous institutional cohort receiving standard-dose (non-simultaneous integrated boost) chemoradiotherapy showed superior local control (hazard ratio, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.26-0.92; P = .03) and overall survival (hazard ratio, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.47-0.94; P = .02) in the group that received chemoradiotherapy with a simultaneous integrated boost.

Conclusions and Relevance

These findings suggest that chemoradiotherapy with a simultaneous integrated boost of radiotherapy dose for locally advanced esophageal cancer is well tolerated, with encouraging local control, and thus warrants further study.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01102088.

Chemoradiation Therapy as Definitive Treatment of Esophageal Cancer

Definitive chemoradiation therapy avoids the perioperative and long-term morbidity of esophagectomy and is the standard of care for cervical esophageal cancer. There are significant differences in tumor response to chemoradiation and recurrence patterns between squamous cell cancer and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. Multimodality therapy for esophageal cancer continues to progress, now with the widespread use of PET scanning and possible active surveillance in patients with complete clinical response to chemoradiation. As drug development and targeted therapy trials continue to expand, our understanding of tumor biology and precision medicine will continue to refine the treatment of esophageal cancer.

Trimodality Approach for Esophageal Malignancies

Trimodality therapy, or the use of concurrent chemoradiation followed by surgery, is the cornerstone of contemporary management of esophageal cancer. This article discusses the landmark trials and most current data to understand the concepts, applications, and outcomes from trimodality therapy in locally advanced esophageal cancer.

Salvage Esophagectomy

Salvage esophagectomy is an option for patients with recurrent or persistent esophageal cancer after definitive chemoradiation therapy or those who undergo active surveillance after induction chemoradiation therapy. Salvage resection is associated with higher rates of morbidity compared with planned esophagectomy but offers patients with locally advanced disease a chance at improved long-term survival. Salvage resection should be preferentially performed in a multidisciplinary setting by high-volume and experienced surgeons. Technical considerations, such as prior radiation dosage, radiation field, and choice of conduit, should be taken into account.

Analysis of trimodal and bimodal therapy in a selective-surgery paradigm for locally advanced oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Long-term survival outcomes of trimodal therapy (TMT; chemoradiation plus surgery) and bimodal therapy (BMT; chemoradiation) have seldom been analysed. In a selective-surgery paradigm, the benefit of TMT in patients with a complete clinical response is controversial. Factors associated with survival in patients with a clinical complete response to chemoradiation were evaluated.

METHODS

Patients with stage II-III oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma treated with TMT or BMT from 2002 to 2017 were evaluated. The BMT group consisted of patients who were otherwise eligible for surgery but underwent chemoradiation alone followed by observation. This group included patients who later had salvage oesophagectomy. Survival was evaluated and compared between TMT and BMT groups. Elastic net regularization was performed to select co-variables for Cox multivariable survival analysis in patients with a clinical complete response.

RESULTS

Of 143 patients, 60 (41.9 per cent) underwent TMT and 83 (58.0 per cent) BMT. Patients who underwent TMT had longer median overall survival than those who had BMT (77 versus 33 months; P = 0.019). For patients with a clinical complete response, TMT achieved longer median overall survival than BMT (123 versus 55 months; P = 0.04). BMT had a high locoregional recurrence rate (48 versus 6 per cent; P < 0.001); 26 of 29 patients with locoregional recurrence in the BMT groupunderwent salvage resection. Cox multivariable analysis demonstrated that upper-mid oesophageal tumour location (hazard ratio (HR) 2.04; P = 0.024) and tumour length (HR 1.18; P = 0.046) were associated with worse survival. Although TMT was not associated with survival, it was a predictor of reduced recurrence (HR 0.28; P = 0.028). The maximum standardized uptake value after chemoradiation also predicted recurrence (HR 1.33; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

In patients who achieve a clinical complete response, TMT reduces locoregional recurrence but may not prolong survival. The differences in survival outcomes may be due to patient selection; therefore, a selective-surgery strategy in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma is a reasonable approach.

A narrative review of socioeconomic disparities in the treatment of esophageal cancer

The persistent challenges of disparities in healthcare have led to significantly distinct outcomes among patients from different racial, ethnic, and underserved populations. Esophageal Cancer, not unlike other surgical diseases, has seen significant disparities in care. Esophageal cancer is currently the 6th leading cause of death from cancer and the 8th most common cancer in the world. Surgical disparities in the care of patients with Esophageal Cancer have been described in the literature, with a prevailing theme associating minority status with worse outcomes. The goal of this review is to provide an updated account of the literature on disparities in Esophageal Cancer presentation and treatment. We will approach this task through a conceptual framework that highlights the five main themes of surgical disparities: patient-level factors, provider-level factors, system and access issues, clinical care and quality, and postoperative outcomes, care and rehabilitation. All five categories play a complex role in the delivery of high-quality, equitable care for patients with Esophageal Cancer. While describing disparities in care is the first step to correcting them, moving forward, we should focus on developing effective interventions to mitigate disparities, policies linking disparities to quality-of-care metrics, and delivery system change to enable minority patients to more easily access high volume centers.

Esophageal fistula after definitive concurrent chemotherapy and intensity modulated radiotherapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Background

The literature regarding esophageal fistula after definitive concurrent chemotherapy and intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains lacking. We aimed to investigate the risk factors of esophageal fistula among ESCC patients undergoing definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) via IMRT technique.

Methods

A total of 129 consecutive ESCC patients receiving definitive CCRT with IMRT between 2008 and 2018 were reviewed. The cumulative incidence of esophageal fistula and survival of patients were estimated by the Kaplan–Meier method and compared between groups by the log-rank test. The risk factors of esophageal fistula were determined with multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis.

Results

Median follow-up was 14.9 months (IQR, 7.0–28.8). Esophageal perforation was identified in 20 (15.5%) patients, resulting in esophago-pleural fistula in nine, esophago-tracheal fistula in seven, broncho-esophageal fistula in two, and aorto-esophageal fistula in two patients. The median interval from IMRT to the occurrence of esophageal fistula was 4.4 months (IQR, 3.3–10.1). Patients with esophageal fistula had an inferior median overall survival (10.0 vs. 17.2 months, p = 0.0096). T4 (HR, 3.776; 95% CI, 1.383–10.308; p = 0.010) and esophageal stenosis (HR, 2.601; 95% CI, 1.053–6.428; p = 0.038) at baseline were the independent risk factors for esophageal fistula. The cumulative incidence of esophageal fistula was higher in patients with T4 (p = 0.018) and pre-treatment esophageal stenosis (p = 0.045). There was a trend toward better survival after esophageal fistula among patients receiving repair or stenting for the fistula than those only undergoing conservative treatments (median survival, 5.9 vs. 0.9 months, p = 0.058).

Conclusions

T4 and esophageal stenosis at baseline independently increased the risk of esophageal fistula in ESCC treated by definitive CCRT with IMRT. There existed a trend toward improved survival after the fistula among patients receiving repair or stenting for esophageal perforation.

Comparison of short-term outcomes from the International Oesophago-Gastric Anastomosis Audit (OGAA), the Esophagectomy Complications Consensus Group (ECCG), and the Dutch Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Audit (DUCA)

BACKGROUND

The Esophagectomy Complications Consensus Group (ECCG) and the Dutch Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Audit (DUCA) have set standards in reporting outcomes after oesophagectomy. Reporting outcomes from selected high-volume centres or centralized national cancer programmes may not, however, be reflective of the true global prevalence of complications. This study aimed to compare complication rates after oesophagectomy from these existing sources with those of an unselected international cohort from the Oesophago-Gastric Anastomosis Audit (OGAA).

METHODS

The OGAA was a prospective multicentre cohort study coordinated by the West Midlands Research Collaborative, and included patients undergoing oesophagectomy for oesophageal cancer between April and December 2018, with 90 days of follow-up.

RESULTS

The OGAA study included 2247 oesophagectomies across 137 hospitals in 41 countries. Comparisons with the ECCG and DUCA found differences in baseline demographics between the three cohorts, including age, ASA grade, and rates of chronic pulmonary disease. The OGAA had the lowest rates of neoadjuvant treatment (OGAA 75.1 per cent, ECCG 78.9 per cent, DUCA 93.5 per cent; P < 0.001). DUCA exhibited the highest rates of minimally invasive surgery (OGAA 57.2 per cent, ECCG 47.9 per cent, DUCA 85.8 per cent; P < 0.001). Overall complication rates were similar in the three cohorts (OGAA 63.6 per cent, ECCG 59.0 per cent, DUCA 62.2 per cent), with no statistically significant difference in Clavien-Dindo grades (P = 0.752). However, a significant difference in 30-day mortality was observed, with DUCA reporting the lowest rate (OGAA 3.2 per cent, ECCG 2.4 per cent, DUCA 1.7 per cent; P = 0.013).

CONCLUSION

Despite differences in rates of co-morbidities, oncological treatment strategies, and access to minimal-access surgery, overall complication rates were similar in the three cohorts.

A narrative review of combining radiation and immunotherapy in gastroesophageal cancers

Despite advances in chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, prognosis in gastroesophageal cancers (GEC) remains poor. Recent studies have demonstrated that immune checkpoint inhibitors specific to the PD-1/PD-L1 axis can improve survival with dramatic durability for a subset of patients with GEC. Radiation therapy (RT) has been shown to enhance priming and anti-tumor immunogenicity. The combination of these two treatments has shown promising results acting synergistically in pre-clinical and clinical models. Much of this synergy appears linked to in-field radiation responses, but also the abscopal response where out-of-field tumors demonstrate regression. In this review, we summarize the current role of immunotherapy and radiation in GEC. We also highlight progress from preclinical studies and translational biomarker analyses that provide rationale for ongoing efforts combining immune checkpoint inhibition and radiotherapy specifically in GECs. Questions that remain unanswered in the clinic are the optimal radiation dosing, timing, and fractionation strategies to augment abscopal immune responses. Increasing recognition of the heterogeneity of immunosuppressive mechanisms that can arise in response to radiation indicates the need for novel immune checkpoint inhibitors that target beyond the PD-1/PD-L1 axis. Smartly designed prospective trials incorporating these two approaches with ongoing translational analyses will be critical in increasing the success of combinatorial radiation and immunotherapy strategies in this disease.

Management of Locally Advanced Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal cancer is diagnosed usually at a locally advanced stage. Surgery alone has less optimal results and a multimodality approach has been established as the standard of care for cII-III stages of esophageal cancer. This review focuses on the recent evidences of management of esophageal cancer with various variations in approaches in Eastern and Western countries. The major difference is the selection of induction treatment. Till the results of some ongoing trials become available, most of the evidences support neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by surgery for squamous cell carcinoma and perioperative chemotherapy and surgery for adenocarcinoma.

Chemotherapy alone versus definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy for cT4b esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a population-based study

Background

The role of radiotherapy for cT4bNanyM0 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESqCC) is relatively unclear, with both chemotherapy (C/T) alone and definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy (dCCRT) being treatment options in the current guidelines. We aimed to compare the survival of dCCRT versus C/T for these patients via a population-based approach.

Methods

Eligible cT4b ESqCC patients diagnosed between 2011 and 2017 were identified via the Taiwan Cancer Registry. We used propensity score (PS) weighting to balance the observable potential confounders between groups. The hazard ratio (HR) of death and incidence of esophageal cancer mortality (IECM) were compared between dCCRT and C/T. We also evaluated OS in subgroups of either low or standard radiotherapy doses.

Results

Our primary analysis consisted of 247 patients in whom covariates were well balanced after PS weighing. The HR for death when dCCRT was compared with C/T was 0.36 (95% confidence interval 0.24–0.53, P < 0.001). Similar results were found for IECM. Statistical significance was only observed in the standard RT dose but not in the low dose in subgroup analyses.

Conclusions

In this population-based nonrandomized study of cT4bNanyM0 ESqCC patients from Asia (Taiwan), we found that the use of radiotherapy with chemotherapy was associated with better overall survival than chemotherapy alone. Further studies (especially RCTs) are needed to confirm our findings.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12876-021-01742-4.

Prognostic and predictive values of interim 18F-FDG PET during neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for esophageal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

To determine the prognostic and predictive value of early metabolic response assessed by a change in standardized uptake value (SUV) on interim 18F-FDG PET in patients with esophageal cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.

METHODS

PubMed and Embase were searched up until 10 September, 2020, for studies evaluating a change in SUV on interim 18F-FDG PET for predicting a pathologic response, progression-free survival (PFS), or overall survival (OS) in patients with esophageal cancer. The sensitivity and specificity for predicting a pathologic response were pooled using bivariate and hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic (HSROC) models. Meta-analytic pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were derived using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

A total of 11 studies (695 patients) were included in the meta-analysis. For nine studies assessing predictive accuracy, the pooled sensitivity and specificity of an early metabolic response for predicting a pathologic response were 0.80 (95% CI 0.61-0.91) and 0.54 (95% CI 0.45-0.63), respectively. The area under the HSROC curve was 0.64 (95% CI 0.60-0.68). Across the nine studies assessing prognostic value, an early metabolic response determined by interim PET showed pooled HRs for predicting PFS and OS of 0.44 (95% CI, 0.30-0.63) and 0.42 (95% CI, 0.31-0.56), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Change in SUV on interim 18F-FDG PET had significant prognostic value and moderate predictive value for a pathologic response in esophageal cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Interim 18F-FDG PET may help prognostic stratification and guide treatment planning in oncologic practice.

Diagnostic Performance of MRI for Esophageal Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background Although CT, endoscopic US, and PET are critical in determining the appropriate management of esophageal carcinoma (squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma), previous reports show that staging accuracy remains low, particularly for nodal involvement sensitivity. Purpose To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the diagnostic performance of MRI for multiple staging thresholds in patients with biopsy-proven esophageal carcinoma (differentiation of stage T0 disease from stage T1 or higher disease, differentiation of stage T2 or lower disease from stage T3 or higher disease, and differentiation of stage N0 disease from stage N1 or higher disease [where T refers to tumor stage and N refers to nodal stage]). Materials and Methods Studies of the diagnostic performance of MRI in determining the stage of esophageal carcinoma in patients before esophagectomy and pathologic staging between 2000 and 2019 were searched in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library by a librarian and radiation oncologist. Pooled diagnostic performance of MRI was calculated with a bivariate random effects model. Bias was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (version 2) tool. Results Twenty studies with a total of 984 patients were included in the analysis. Pooled accuracy for stage T0 versus stage T1 or higher had a sensitivity of 92% (95% CI: 82, 96) and a specificity of 67% (95% CI: 51, 81). Pooled accuracy for stage T2 or lower versus stage T3 or higher had a sensitivity of 86% (95% CI: 76, 92) and a specificity of 86% (95% CI: 75, 93). Pooled accuracy for stage N0 versus stage N1 or higher had a sensitivity of 71% (95% CI: 60, 80) and a specificity of 72% (95% CI: 64, 79). The concern for applicability was low for the patient selection, index test, and reference test domains, except for 10% of studies (two of 20) that had unclear concern for patient selection applicability. Conclusion MRI has high sensitivity but low specificity for the detection of esophageal carcinoma, which shows promise for determining neoadjuvant therapy response and for detecting locally advanced disease for potential trimodality therapy. © RSNA, 2021 Online supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Leeflang in this issue.

The Impact of Radiotherapy Dose in Patients with Locally Advanced Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Receiving Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy

Objective: For patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, preoperative chemoradiotherapy followed by planned esophagectomy is used as a curative treatment modality. However, the impact of radiotherapy dose remains undefined. Method: A total of 141 patients with stage III esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC; as defined by the 7th American Joint Committee on Cancer), receiving preoperative chemoradiotherapy followed by esophagectomy between 2000 and 2015 at Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan, were retrospectively reviewed. The radiotherapy dose of preoperative chemoradiotherapy (36 Gy before 2009 and 50–50.4 Gy after 2009) and other clinicopathological parameters were collected and correlated with the response to chemoradiotherapy and treatment outcome. Result: Of these 141 patients, the radiotherapy dose was 36 Gy in 59 (42%) patients and 50 Gy in 82 (58%) patients. A complete pathological response was noted in 12 (20%) of 59 patients receiving 36 Gy radiotherapy, and 37 (45%) of 82 patients receiving 50 Gy radiotherapy (p = 0.002). The three-year overall survival and disease-free survival rates were 31% and 25% in patients receiving 36 Gy radiotherapy, and 54% and 46% in patients receiving 50–50.4 Gy radiotherapy, respectively (p = 0.023 for overall survival; p = 0.047 for disease-free survival). Multivariate analysis showed that a higher radiotherapy dose was associated with increased pathological complete response (p = 0.003, hazard ratio: 3.215), better overall survival (p = 0.024, hazard ratio: 1.585), and superior disease-free survival (p = 0.049, hazard ratio: 1.493). However, higher radiotherapy doses revealed more surgical complications, including acute respiratory distress syndrome (p = 0.048) and anastomosis leaks (p = 0.004). Conclusion: For patients with locally advanced ESCC, preoperative chemoradiotherapy with higher radiotherapy doses led to increased pathologic complete response rates and improved survival.

Dose-escalated radiotherapy with PET/CT based treatment planning in combination with induction and concurrent chemotherapy in locally advanced (uT3/T4) squamous cell cancer of the esophagus: mature results of a phase I/II trial

BACKGROUND

This prospective phase I/II trial assessed feasibility and efficacy of dose-escalated definitive chemoradiation after induction chemotherapy in locally advanced esophageal cancer. Primary study endpoint was loco-regional progression-free survival at 1 year.

METHODS

Eligible patients received 2 cycles of induction chemotherapy with irinotecan, folinic acid and 5-fluorouracil weekly and cisplatin every 2 weeks (weeks 1-6, 8-13) followed by concurrent chemoradiation with cisplatin and irinotecan (weeks 14, 15, 17, 18, 20). Radiotherapy dose escalation was performed in three steps (60 Gy, 66 Gy, 72 Gy) using conventional fractionation, planning target volumes were delineated with the aid of 18F-FDG-PET/CT scans. During follow-up, endoscopic examinations were performed at regular intervals.

RESULTS

Between 09/2006 and 02/2010, 17 patients were enrolled (male/female:13/4, median age: 59 [range 48-66] years, stage uT3N0/T3N1/T4N1: 4/12/1). One patient progressed during induction chemotherapy and underwent surgery. Of 16 patients treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy, 9 (56%) achieved complete response after completion of chemoradiation. One-, 2-, 3- and 5-year overall survival rates (OS) were 77% [95%CI: 59-100], 53% [34-83], 41% [23-73], and 29% [14-61], respectively. Loco-regional progression-free survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 59% [40-88], 35% [19-67], and 29% [14-61], corresponding cumulative incidences of loco-regional progressions were 18% [4-39%], 35% [14-58%], and 41% [17-64%]. No treatment related deaths occurred. Grade 3 toxicities during induction therapy were: neutropenia (41%), diarrhoea (41%), during combined treatment: neutropenia (62%) and thrombocytopenia (25%).

CONCLUSIONS

Dose-escalated radiotherapy and concurrent cisplatin/irinotecan after cisplatin/irinotecan/5FU induction chemotherapy was tolerable. The hypothesized phase II one-year loco-regional progression free survival rate of 74% was not achieved. Long-term survival compares well with other studies on definitive radiotherapy using irinotecan and cisplatin but is not better than recent trials using conventionally fractionated radiotherapy ad 50 Gy with concurrent paclitaxel or 5FU and platinum compound. Trial registration The present trial was registered as a phase I/II trial at the EudraCT database: Nr. 2005-006097-10 ( https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/trial/2005-006097-10/DE ) and authorized to proceed on 2006-09-25.

Efficacy of Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma Not Suitable for Transarterial Chemoembolization (HERACLES: HEpatocellular Carcinoma Stereotactic RAdiotherapy CLinical Efficacy Study)

The aim of this prospective observational trial was to evaluate the efficacy, toxicity and quality of life after stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to assess the results of this treatment in comparison to trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE). Patients with HCC, treated with TACE or SBRT, over a period of 12 months, enrolled in the study. The primary endpoint was feasibility; secondary endpoints were toxicity, quality of life (QOL), local progression (LP) and overall survival (OS). Between 06/2016 and 06/2017, 19 patients received TACE and 20 SBRT, 2 of whom were excluded due to progression. The median follow-up was 31 months. The QOL remained stable before and after treatment and was comparable in both treatment groups. Five patients developed grade ≥ 3 toxicities in the TACE group and 3 in the SBRT group. The cumulative incidence of LP after 1-, 2- and 3-years was 6, 6, 6% in the SBRT group and 28, 39, and 65% in the TACE group (p = 0.02). The 1- and 2- years OS rates were 84% and 47% in the TACE group and 44% and 39% in the SBRT group (p = 0.20). In conclusion, SBRT is a well-tolerated local treatment with a high local control rates and can be safely delivered, while preserving the QOL of HCC patients.

Impact of Radiation Dose on Postoperative Complications in Esophageal and Gastroesophageal Junction Cancers

Introduction: The impact of radiation prescription dose on postoperative complications during standard of care trimodality therapy for operable stage II-III esophageal and gastroesophageal junction cancers has not been established. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 82 patients with esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancers treated between 2004 and 2016 with neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by resection at a single institution. Post-operative complications within 30 days were reviewed and scored using the Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI). Results were compared between patients treated with <50 Gy and ≥ 50 Gy, as well as to published CROSS study neoadjuvant chemoradiation group data (41.4 Gy). Results: Twenty-nine patients were treated with <50 Gy (range 39.6-46.8 Gy) and 53 patients were treated with ≥ 50 Gy (range 50.0-52.5 Gy) delivered using IMRT/VMAT (41%), 3D-CRT (46%), or tomotherapy IMRT (12%). Complication rates and CCI scores between our <50 Gy and ≥ 50 Gy groups were not significantly different. Assuming a normal distribution of the CROSS data, there was no significant difference in CCI scores between the CROSS study neoadjuvant chemoradiation, <50 Gy, or ≥ 50 Gy groups. Rates of pulmonary complications were greater in the CROSS group (50%) than our <50 Gy (38%) or ≥ 50 Gy (30%) groups. Conclusions: In selected esophageal and gastroesophageal junction cancer patients, radiation doses ≥ 50 Gy do not appear to increase 30 day post-operative complication rates. These findings suggest that the use of definitive doses of radiotherapy (50-50.4 Gy) in the neoadjuvant setting may not increase post-operative complications.

Brazilian Group of Gastrointestinal Tumours' consensus guidelines for the management of oesophageal cancer

Oesophageal cancer is among the ten most common types of cancer worldwide. More than 80% of the cases and deaths related to the disease occur in developing countries. Local socio-economic, epidemiologic and healthcare particularities led us to create a Brazilian guideline for the management of oesophageal and oesophagogastric junction (OGJ) carcinomas. The Brazilian Group of Gastrointestinal Tumours invited 50 physicians with different backgrounds, including radiology, pathology, endoscopy, nuclear medicine, genetics, oncological surgery, radiotherapy and clinical oncology, to collaborate. This document was prepared based on an extensive review of topics related to heredity, diagnosis, staging, pathology, endoscopy, surgery, radiation, systemic therapy (including checkpoint inhibitors) and follow-up, which was followed by presentation, discussion and voting by the panel members. It provides updated evidence-based recommendations to guide clinical management of oesophageal and OGJ carcinomas in several scenarios and clinical settings.

Radiomics Signature Facilitates Organ-Saving Strategy in Patients With Esophageal Squamous Cell Cancer Receiving Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy

After neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) in locally advanced esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC), roughly 40% of the patients may achieve pathologic complete response (pCR). Those patients may benefit from organ-saving strategy if the probability of pCR could be correctly identified before esophagectomy. A reliable approach to predict pathological response allows future studies to investigate individualized treatment plans.

Analysis of clinical outcomes and prognostic factors in patients treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy for oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma

As patients receiving definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT) for oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) are heterogeneous, we aimed to identify prognostic factors and failure patterns after dCRT. From 2006 to 2015, 327 patients who received dCRT for ESCC were reviewed. Treatment response to dCRT was evaluated based on EORTC-PET criteria with endoscopy and CT results. After dCRT, 296 patients (90.5%) achieved disease stabilisation, with 132 cases of complete response (CR) (40.4%), 158 of partial response (PR) (48.3%) and 6 of stable disease (SD) (1.8%); 31 patients (9.5%) had progressive disease (PD). Median overall survival (OS) from response evaluation was 24.0 months in the overall population. Post-treatment clinical response was the most significant prognostic factor for OS in the multivariate analysis (median OS, 65.0 months for CR, 17.3 months for PR, 4.4 months for SD and 4.0 months for PD; p < 0.0001). Median progression-free survival (PFS) in 296 patients who achieved disease stabilisation was 13.1 months, and only clinical response was a significant factor in the multivariate analysis. The median PFS of CR, PR and SD patients were 36.9, 9.2 and 2.8 months, respectively (p < 0.0001). The clinical response was also significantly associated with the predominant failure pattern (locoregional failure [81.6%] in the initial non-PD group vs. distant metastasis [87.1%] in the initial PD group [p < 0.0001]). In conclusion, definitive chemoradiotherapy-treated ESCC patients showed highly different prognoses after treatment especially according to the clinical response to chemoradiotherapy.

Pretreatment Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio as Prognostic Factors and Reference Markers of Treatment Options for Locally Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma Located in the Middle and Upper Esophagus

BACKGROUND

Various inflammatory biomarkers, such as the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), have been well authenticated to predict clinical outcomes in numerous types of cancer. The optimal treatment for patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) located in the middle or upper region is still inconclusive. The aim of the study was to examine pretreatment NLR and PLR to select from radical surgery or definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT) for these patients. The linkage between pretreatment NLR/PLR and prognosis was also analyzed.

METHODS

NLR and PLR were calculated in 113 locally advanced ESCC located in the middle or upper esophagus of patients who underwent radical surgery or dCRT between January 2014 and December 2019. A receiver operating characteristic curve was plotted to select the best cut-off value of NLR and PLR for predicting survival. A survival curve was plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were applied to assess predictors for survival.

RESULTS

NLR and PLR were associated with the extent of lymph node metastasis (NLR: P = 0.045; PLR: P = 0.002). Additionally, high PLR and recurrence with distant organ metastasis were closely related (P = 0.014), and NLR was related to the tumor stage (P = 0.043). The results of the multivariate analysis revealed that NLR (>2.07) and PLR (>183.06) were independently associated with poor prognosis. It is noteworthy that surgery was associated with a superior OS compared with dCRT in the low NLR population (P = 0.045).

CONCLUSION

Low pretreatment NLR patients are fit to undergo radical surgery with a substantial therapeutic benefit. Pretreatment NLR and PLR are independent predictors for patients with locally advanced ESCC located in the middle and upper esophagus who underwent radical surgery or dCRT.

Simultaneous integrated boost concepts in definitive radiation therapy for esophageal cancer: outcomes and toxicity

BACKGROUND

Radiation therapy and chemoradiation therapy play a major role in the definitive management of esophageal cancer. Survival in esophageal cancer patients is still relatively poor, mostly due to high rates of local recurrence and distant metastases. It is hypothesized that dose escalation in radiotherapy could improve outcomes. Therefore, this retrospective analysis aimed to investigate the outcomes and toxicity in patients treated with local dose escalation by means of using simultaneous integrated boost concepts.

METHODS

Between 2012 and 2018, 101 patients with esophageal carcinoma were analyzed in this monocentric, retrospective study. All patients received definitive chemoradiation or radiation therapy alone as intensity modulated radiotherapy. The prescribed dose was 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions to the primary tumor and the elective lymph nodes as well as a simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) with 58.8 Gy to macroscopic tumor and lymph node metastases. Endpoints were overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS), local control rate (LCR) and toxicity.

RESULTS

60 patients (59.4%) received chemoradiation, 41 patients (40.6%) radiotherapy alone. The median follow up was 17 months (range 0-75 months). OS, PFS and LCR were at 63.9%, 53.9% and 59.9% after 1 year and 37.6%, 34.5% and 36.1%, respectively after 3 years. 16 patients (15.8%) in total developed a locoregional recurrence within the field of radiation. In 48 patients (47.5%) at least one grade III° (CTCAE) toxicity was documented during radiotherapy, mostly dysphagia (36 pat., 75%). One patient suffered from a grade IV° pneumonia.

CONCLUSION

This retrospective analysis demonstrates that a SIB concept in definitive (chemo)radiation therapy is safe and feasible, showing acceptable outcomes in this patient cohort. Considering that this cohort mainly consists of elderly patients not eligible for chemotherapy in many cases, we emphasize the aspect of SIB radiation therapy as potential partial compensation for omitted simultaneous chemotherapy. Prospective studies are needed for validation.

Head and Neck Cancer Treatments from Chemotherapy to Magnetic Systems: Perspectives and Challenges

BACKGROUND

Cancer is one of the diseases causing society's fears as a stigma of death and pain. Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) is a group of malignant neoplasms of different locations in this region of the human body. It is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Brazil, because these malignant neoplasias, in most cases, are diagnosed in late phases. Surgical excision, chemotherapy and radiotherapy encompass the forefront of antineoplastic therapy; however, the numerous side effects associated with these therapeutic modalities are well known. Some treatments present enough potential to help or replace conventional treatments, such as Magnetic Hyperthermia and Photodynamic Therapy. Such approaches require the development of new materials at the nanoscale, able to carry out the loading of their active components while presenting characteristics of biocompatibility mandatory for biomedical applications.

OBJECTIVE

This work aims to make a bibliographical review of HNSCC treatments. Recent techniques proven effective in other types of cancer were highlighted and raised discussion and reflections on current methods and possibilities of enhancing the treatment of HNSCC.

METHOD

The study was based on a bibliometric research between the years 2008 and 2019 using the following keywords: Cancer, Head and Neck Cancer, Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy, Photodynamic Therapy, and Hyperthermia.

RESULTS

A total of 5.151.725 articles were found, 3.712.670 about cancer, 175.470 on Head and Neck Cancer, 398.736 on Radiotherapy, 760.497 on Chemotherapy, 53.830 on Hyperthermia, and 50.522 on Photodynamic Therapy.

CONCLUSION

The analysis shows that there is still much room for expanding research, especially for alternative therapies since most of the studies still focus on conventional treatments and on the quest to overcome their side effects. The scientific community needs to keep looking for more effective therapies generating fewer side effects for the patient. Currently, the so-called alternative therapies are being used in combination with the conventional ones, but the association of these new therapies shows great potential, in other types of cancer, to improve the treatment efficacy.

Single modality radical radiotherapy is an acceptable alternative for the older patient with squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus

BACKGROUND

Oesophageal cancer remains a common cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Increasingly, oncology centres are treating an older population and comorbidities may preclude multimodality treatment with chemoradiotherapy (CRT). We review outcomes of radical radiotherapy (RT) in an older population treating squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) oesophagus.

METHODS

Patients over 65 years receiving RT for SCC oesophagus between 2013 and 2016 in the West of Scotland were identified. Kaplan-Meier and Cox-regression analysis were used to compare overall survival (OS) between patients treated with radical RT and radical CRT.

RESULTS

There were 83 patients over 65 years treated with either RT (n=21) or CRT (n=62). There was no significant difference in median OS between CRT versus RT (26.8 months vs 28.5 months, p=0.92). All patients receiving RT completed their treatment whereas 11% of CRT patients did not complete treatment.

CONCLUSION

Survival in this non-trial older patient group managed with CRT is comparable to that reported in previous trials. RT shows better than expected outcomes which may reflect developments in RT technique. This review supports RT as an alternative in older patients, unfit for concurrent treatment.

Post-Neoadjuvant Surveillance and Surgery as Needed Compared with Post-Neoadjuvant Surgery on Principle in Multimodal Treatment for Esophageal Cancer: A Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

A substantial fraction of patients with esophageal cancer show post-neoadjuvant pathological complete response (pCR). Principal esophagectomy after neoadjuvant treatment is the standard of care for all patients, although surveillance and surgery as needed in case of local recurrence may be a treatment alternative for patients with complete response (CR).

METHODS

We performed a scoping review to describe key characteristics of relevant clinical studies including adults with non-metastatic esophageal cancer receiving multimodal treatment. Until September 2020, relevant studies were identified through systematic searches in the bibliographic databases Medline, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, ClinicalTrials, the German study register, and the WHO registry platform.

RESULTS

In total, three completed randomized controlled trials (RCTs, with 468 participants), three planned/ongoing RCTs (with a planned sample size of 752 participants), one non-randomized controlled study (NRS, with 53 participants), ten retrospective cohort studies (with 2228 participants), and one survey on patients' preferences (with 100 participants) were identified. All studies applied neoadjuvant chemoradiation protocols. None of the studies examined neoadjuvant chemotherapeutic protocols. Studies investigated patient populations with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and mixed cohorts. Important outcomes reported were overall, disease-free and local recurrence-free survival. Limitations of the currently available study pool include heterogeneous chemoradiation protocols, a lack of modern neoadjuvant treatment protocols in RCTs, short follow-up times, the use of heterogeneous diagnostic methods, and different definitions of clinical CR.

CONCLUSION

Although post-neoadjuvant surveillance and surgery as needed compared with post-neoadjuvant surgery on principle has been investigated within different study designs, the currently available results are based on a wide variation of diagnostic tools to identify patients with pCR, short follow-up times, small sample sizes, and variations in therapeutic procedures. A thoroughly planned RCT considering the limitations in the currently available literature will be of great importance to provide patients with CR with the best and less harmful treatment.

The efficacy and safety of definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy for non-operable esophageal cancer

Objective

To report outcomes and toxicity in patients who received definitive concurrent chemoradiation (DCCRT) for non‐operable esophageal cancer (EC) in the modern era, and to identify markers of overall and disease‐free survival (OS/DFS).

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with unresectable EC who received DCCRT at our institution between 1/2008 and 1/2019. Descriptive statistics were used to report disease‐control outcomes and CTCAE v4.0–5.0 toxicities. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression, and stepwise regression were used to identify associations with survival.

Results

At a median follow‐up of 19.5 months, 130 patients with adenocarcinoma (AC) (62%) or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (38%) were evaluable (Stage II‐III: 92%). Patients received carboplatin/paclitaxel (75%) or fluorouracil‐based (25%) concurrent chemotherapy. Median total RT dose was 50.4 Gy (range, 44.7–71.4 Gy) delivered in 28 fractions (24–35). Locoregional and distant recurrence occurred in 30% and 35% of AC, and 24% and 33% of SCC, respectively. Median OS and DFS were 22.9 and 10.7 months in AC, and 25.7 and 20.2 months in SCC, respectively. On stepwise regression, tumor stage, feeding tube during DCCRT, and change in primary tumor PET/CT SUVmax were significantly associated with OS and DFS. Most severe toxicities were acute grade 4 hematologic cytopenia (6%) and radiation dermatitis (1%). Most common acute grade 3 toxicities were hematologic cytopenia (35%), dysphagia (23%), and anorexia (19%).

Conclusions

Treatment of non‐operable EC with DCCRT has acceptable toxicity and can provide multi‐year disease control for some patients, even in AC. Continued follow‐up and investigation in large studies would be useful.

Assessment of tumor response to definitive chemoradiotherapy and prognosis prediction in patients with esophageal cancer judged by PET response criteria in solid tumors: multicenter study in Japan

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to evaluate PET response criteria in solid tumors (PERCIST) to indicate therapeutic response to definitive chemoradiotherapy, as well as prediction of recurrence and death in patients with esophageal cancer.

METHODS

Before and after recieving definitive chemoradiotherapy, 181 patients with esophageal cancer underwent fluorodeoxyglucose-PET/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT). PERCIST, reduction rates of tumor uptake and volume of whole lesions, tumor node metastasis (TNM) staging regarding progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were analyzed using log-rank and Cox methods.

RESULTS

Complete metabolic response (CMR), partial metabolic response (PMR), stable metabolic disease (SMD), and progressive metabolic disease (PMD) shown by PERCIST were seen in 42 (23.2%), 113 (62.4%), 14 (7.7%), and 12 (6.6%) patients, respectively. Progression developed in 137 (75.7%) patients and 101 (56.1%) patients died (median follow-up 16.9, range 3.2-124.9 months). Those who achieved CMR showed significantly longer PFS and OS as compared with patients who did not (PMR, SMD, and PMD) (both P < 0.0001). In univariate analysis, initial clinical T status (P = 0.0048), N status (P = 0.011), and TNM stage (P = 0.0006), PERCIST (P < 0.0001), and reduction rate of peak lean body mass standardized uptake value (P < 0.0001), of metabolic tumor volume (P < 0.0001), and of total lesion glycolysis (TLG) (P < 0.0001) were associated with significantly increased OS. Multivariate analysis confirmed PERCIST [hazard ratio (HR): 13.15, 95% confidence interval (CI), 4.54-55.8; P < 0.0001], and TLG reduction rate (HR: 2.21, 95% CI, 1.04-4.68; P = 0.040) as independent OS predictors.

CONCLUSION

PERCIST is useful for evaluating therapeutic response to definitive chemoradiotherapy, and predicting progression and death in patients with esophageal cancer.

Chemoradiation as a nonsurgical treatment option for early-stage esophageal cancers: a retrospective cohort study

Background

Complete tumor removal via esophagectomy or endoscopic excision has been associated with the greatest survival in early-stage esophageal cancer. However, patient health, anatomy, or goals of care may render patients ineligible for excision or resection. In this setting, chemoradiation (CRT) may be considered as a nonsurgical approach, however the outcomes associated with CRT in early-stage esophageal cancer are incompletely understood.

Methods

The National Cancer Database was queried for treatment-naïve cT1/T2, N0, M0 esophageal cancer patients managed with concurrent multi-agent CRT (≥50 Gy) between 2004 and 2015. Medically inoperable patients were excluded. Kaplan-Meier curves were generated to estimate 5-year overall survival (OS) from diagnosis in both stages.

Results

Of the 828 patients identified, 279 were cT1 and 549 were cT2. For cases after 2010, cT1 (N=124) was further stratified in cT1a (N=32, 25.8%) and cT1b (N=46, 37.1%). Kaplan-Meier estimates demonstrated a 5-year survival of 21.7% for cT1 and 25.9% for cT2. Sensitivity analyses were performed to mitigate competing survival risk from poor health. Among 589 comorbidity-free patients (i.e., Charlson = score zero), the 5-year survival with CRT was 23.4% for cT1 and 27.8% for cT2. Finally, a subset of patients who refused a recommended surgery were evaluated with 5-year survival cT1 =33.5% and cT2 =33.4%).

Conclusions

Up to a third of selected patients with early-stage esophageal cancer may be cured after CRT as definitive non-surgical treatment. However, cure rates may be underestimated in this setting, secondary to persistent health-related bias.

Standard-dose versus high-dose radiotherapy with concurrent chemotherapy in esophageal cancer: A prospective randomized study

Objective:

The objective of this study is comparision of local and distant control rates with high-dose versus standard-dose radiotherapy along with concurrent chemotherapy in esophageal cancer – a prospective randomized study.

Materials and Methods:

Histologically proven Stage I–III patients with carcinoma esophagus were randomized into two groups. One group has been treated with standard-dose radiotherapy, i.e., a total dose of 50.4 Gy (1.8 Gy/day, 28#, 5 days/week). The other group (study arm) has received high-dose radiotherapy, i.e. a total dose of 64.8 Gy (1.8 Gy/day, 36#, 5 days/week). Both groups have received 2 cycles of 3 weekly concurrent chemotherapy (cisplatin 75 mg/m^[2] on day 1 and 5-fluorouracil 750 mg/m^[2] continuous intravenous infusion over 24 h on day 1–4). Follow-up response evaluation was done by both endoscopy and computed tomography scan after 6–8 weeks and after 2 months thereafter.

Results:

Out of a total of 28 patients, 68% showed a complete response, 14% showed partial response, and 18% patients developed progressive disease at first and subsequent follow up (median follow-up of 21 months). Among the complete response patients, rates were higher in high-dose group compared to standard-dose radiotherapy group (71% vs. 64%, P = 0.38). Treatment-related toxicities were acceptable in both groups.

Conclusion:

High-dose radiotherapy with concurrent chemotherapy seems to be more effective with acceptable toxicity in our study. However, further follow-up and large sample size may be required to validate the current study conclusion.

Salvage Robot-Assisted Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy (RAMIE) for T4b Esophageal Cancer After Definitive Chemoradiotherapy

Background

Patients  with esophageal cancer  that invades adjacent structures (cT4b) are precluded from surgery and usually treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT). dCRT might result in sufficient downstaging to enable a radical resection, possibly improving survival. This study aimed to assess the perioperative and oncologic outcomes of a salvage robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) in patients with cT4b esophageal cancer after dCRT.

Methods

Between June 2012 and November 2019, patients who underwent a RAMIE with a gastric conduit reconstruction after completion of dCRT for cT4b esophageal carcinoma were identified from a prospectively maintained surgical database at the University Medical Center Utrecht.

Results

In total, 24 patients with a histopathologically confirmed T4b adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus were included. The adjacent organs involved were the tracheobronchial tree (67%), aorta (21%) or both (13%). No conversions or major intraoperative complications were observed. A radical resection was achieved in 22 patients (92%), and a pathologic complete response was observed in 13 (54%) patients. Postoperative grade 2 or higher complications occurred in 20 patients (83%). The disease-free survival at 24 months was 68% for the patients in whom a radical resection was achieved.

Conclusion

In patients with cT4b esophageal cancer treated with dCRT followed by a salvage RAMIE, a radical resection rate of 92% was achieved, with acceptable complications and promising survival rates. These results demonstrate the feasibility of a curative surgical treatment for patients with initially irresectable esophageal cancer but underscore the importance of a proper preoperative patient selection.

Single-Agent Versus Double-Agent Chemotherapy in Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Prospective, Randomized, Multicenter Phase II Clinical Trial

LESSONS LEARNED

The efficacy of single-agent chemotherapy was not significantly different from that of double-agent chemotherapy in concurrent chemoradiotherapy for inoperable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Single-agent concurrent chemoradiotherapy had lower gastrointestinal and hematologic toxicity. Overall survival and progression-free survival were not significantly different between single- and double-agent concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

BACKGROUND

This multicenter, randomized, phase II trial aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of single-agent concurrent chemoradiotherapy using the oral fluoropyrimidine S-1 with those of double-agent concurrent chemoradiotherapy using S-1 and cisplatin in patients with inoperable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

METHODS

Patients with inoperable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (clinical stages I to III) were randomly allocated to the single-agent group (S-1) or the double-agent group (S-1/cisplatin). The concurrent intensity-modulated radiation therapy plan was similar for both groups: planning target volume 1.8 Gy/f*30-33f and planning gross target volume of 2 Gy/f*30-33f. The primary outcome measure was the endoscopic complete response rate.

RESULTS

Of the 105 patients randomized, 89 were assessable. The endoscopic complete response rate was 46.9% (23/49) in the single-agent group and 52.5% (21/40) in double-agent group. The median progression-free survival within a median follow-up of 23 months was 20 and 21 months, respectively. The median overall survival was 26 months and not reached, respectively. Grade 3 hematological toxicities occurred in 4.1% and 27.5% of the patients in the single- and the double-agent group, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Single-agent chemotherapy in concurrent chemoradiotherapy for inoperable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma has good efficacy and safety, thus warranting a phase III trial.

Nomogram to predict overall survival for patients with non-metastatic cervical esophageal cancer: a SEER-based population study

Background

Cervical esophageal cancer (CEC) is an uncommon malignancy with poor prognosis, and there is no specific model that can be used to accurately predict the survival of patients with CEC.

Methods

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was searched for patients with non-metastatic CEC from 2004 to 2015. Overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Predictive factors were analyzed by Cox's proportional hazards regression, and a nomogram was created to predict survival probability using R software.

Results

We identified 601 patients with CEC, 94.3% of whom had squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The median follow-up time was 71 months. The median OS and DSS for the overall population were 15 and 18 months, respectively. There was a statistically significant decrease in surgical rates over time, from 16.7% in 2004 to 8% in 2015 (P=0.035). Comprehensive strategies consisting of two or three treatment modalities were correlated with significantly better OS and DSS (P<0.001 for both). We randomly assigned half of the patients to the training cohort (n=300) and the other half to the validation cohort (n=301). Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed using the training cohort. Age, sex, tumor size, stages in the 7th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system, and treatment with surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy were identified as independent risk factors for OS. These factors were incorporated into the development of a nomogram for predicting 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates. The C-index of the nomogram was 0.743, which was statistically higher than that of the AJCC staging system. The internal validation, using bootstrap resampling and external validation, demonstrated the accuracy of the nomogram.

Conclusions

We developed and validated the first nomogram for CEC. This nomogram could be used to predict the OS of CEC patients with a relatively high accuracy.

Genome-wide and size-based cell-free DNA indices as predictive biomarkers for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma treated with preoperative or definitive chemoradiotherapy

For locally advanced esophageal cancer, concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by surgery has been a standard treatment, while clinical studies showed comparable survival outcomes between definitive CRT and neoadjuvant CRT followed by surgery in patients responding to CRT. Thus, biomarkers are required to predict treatment outcomes and benefit of adding surgery after CRT. This prospective biomarker study examined the role of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) fragmentation profiles and genomic copy number variations (CNVs) in predicting treatment outcomes in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients treated with neoadjuvant or definitive CRT. The clinical response was evaluated after induction chemotherapy and after CRT. Fragment Ratio (FR)-score and I-score were calculated from plasma cfDNA reflecting fragment lengths and CNV of cfDNA, respectively. The association between indices of cfDNA (cfDNA concentration, FR-score, and I-score) and treatment outcomes (clinical response, time to progression [TTP], and overall survival [OS]) were evaluated. Sixty-one patients were included. Thirty patients received neoadjuvant CRT followed by surgery, whereas 31 received definitive CRT. Low baseline, post-induction chemotherapy, and post-CRT FR-scores and low post-induction I-score were significantly associated with improved treatment response (P < 0.05). Additionally, patients with surgery after CRT showed significantly longer survival than patients without surgery in the FR-score-high group (median TTP, 12.7 vs 3.4 months; P = 0.011; OS, not reached vs 12.9 months; P = 0.02), while there was no survival benefit with surgery in the FR-score-low group. FR-score may be a new biomarker to predict treatment response, residual tumor burden after CRT, and consequently, survival benefit of adding morbid surgery after CRT. FR-score has strength in a relatively simple and inexpensive methodology compared to deep sequencing, resulting in high availability and accessibility, despite limited sensitivity.

Annual report of the esophageal cancer radiation group of the Department of Radiotherapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital

Background

This report describes the clinical work in esophageal cancer radiation group at the Department of Radiotherapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital (TJMUCH).

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients with esophageal cancer who received radiotherapy (RT) at TJMUCH during the 5-year period between 2015 and 2019, including RT procedures, RT methods, treatment types, treatment outcomes and complications, and clinical trials.

Results

In 2015–2019, 1,464 patients with esophageal cancer received RT at the Department of Radiotherapy, TJMUCH. Of these, 1,176 patients received definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT), 100 received preoperative neoadjuvant CRT, 120 received postoperative adjuvant RT, 49 received post-relapse RT, and 19 received palliative RT for advanced esophageal cancer. Among the patients who received definitive CRT, the incidences of grade 2 and higher radiation esophagitis, radiation pneumonitis, and leukopenia were 19.4%, 3.6%, and 19.7%, respectively; the incidences of grade 3–4 radiation esophagitis, radiation pneumonitis, and leukopenia were 9.4%, 1.2%, and 5.4%, respectively; no grade 5 acute adverse events were observed. Esophageal fistula was the major side effect during the advanced stage of RT. In 2015–2018, 44 patients (5%, 44/846) developed esophageal fistula; of these, 34 cases occurred after RT, and 10 cases occurred during RT. The overall survival was based on the data of 544 patients with esophageal cancer who underwent definitive RT at TJMUCH between March 2010 and September 2016. The median follow-up time was 21.6 months. The median survival was 19.6 months; and the 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 69.4%, 37.2%, and 32.3%, respectively. In 2015-2019, approximately 201 patients participated in different prospective clinical trials.

Conclusions

RT is a crucial and effective treatment for esophageal cancer. Standardized treatment procedures, multidisciplinary cooperation, are the foundations for good treatment effects. Many promising ongoing clinical trials will be helpful to improve the prognosis and survival of esophageal cancer patients in the future.

Post-radiation circulating tumor DNA as a prognostic factor in locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a highly malignant and deadly tumor. Radiation therapy is one of the primary treatments for locally advanced ESCC. However, the biomarkers for prognosis of definitive radiation remain undefined. Peripheral blood circulating tumor (ct)DNA provides information of tumor genetic alterations and has been confirmed as a potential non-invasive biomarker for several types of cancer. The present study investigated the clinical implications of ctDNA detection in patients with ESCC and receiving definitive radiation therapy. Patients with locally advanced ESCC were retrospectively recruited. Plasma samples were collected before, during and following radiation therapy. Next-generation sequencing was performed to identify somatic mutations in 180 genes. A total of 69 baseline and post-radiation plasma samples were collected from 25 patients. A total of 59 non-silent single nucleotide variants were present in 33 genes. All pre-radiation and 58.3% (14/24) of post-radiation samples had at least one mutation. Patients with lymph node metastases (LNM) exhibited a higher number of pre-radiation mutations compared with those without LNM. The variables, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of the patients with one baseline mutation were not significantly different compared with that in patients with more than one baseline mutation. Patients with initial ctDNA-positive post-radiation samples exhibited significantly reduced PFS (P=0.047) and OS (P=0.005) compared with that in patients with ctDNA-negative samples. The post-radiation plasma ctDNA status was an independent prognostic factor from univariate and multivariate analyses. Dynamic monitoring of ctDNA during follow-up was examined. The results indicated that ctDNA was a predictive and prognostic marker in patients with ESCC and receiving definitive radiation therapy, which may guide subsequent treatment.

Use of 18F Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography in Assessing Response to Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation and Its Impact on Survival in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

To determine the accuracy of ¹⁸F-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography computed tomography (FDG-PET CT) in predicting response to neoadjuvant chemoradiation (NACRT) in esophageal squamous cell cancer (SCC) and impact of such response on survival.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of patients with esophageal SCC (cT2-4N0-N+M0) who underwent PET CT before and 6 weeks after NACRT followed by surgery was carried out in this study. Metabolic response was assessed by change in standardized uptake value (ΔSUV_max) after NACRT and the pathological response was graded. A receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to identify the optimal cut off value of SUV_max to predict histopathological response. The impact of metabolic response and pathological response on survival was determined.

RESULTS

Of the 73 patients analyzed, 27 had complete metabolic response, while 24 had pathological complete response (PCR). However, only 14 of the 27 complete metabolic responders actually had PCR. At 67% ΔSUV_max, the optimum balance between sensitivity (70.83%) and specificity (69.23%) was achieved and the correlation between metabolic response and pathological complete response achieved statistical significance (p = 0.0009). However, ΔSUV_max of 67% was found to have no significant association with survival (p = 0.51). PCR was the only significant determinant of improved survival (p = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

PCR which is a significant determinant of survival is not ideally predicted by ΔSUV_max on PET CT.

Timing of Adjuvant Chemoradiation in pT1-3N1-2 or pT4aN1 Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma After R0 Esophagectomy

INTRODUCTION

Postoperative adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) and chemotherapy (aCRT) have been supposed to improve prognosis and outcomes in patients with node-positive thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (TESCC). Our aim was to analyze the impacts of interval between surgery and aCRT on prognosis, determining the optimal time interval.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 520 patients with TESCC between 2007 and 2015 treated with aCRT following radical esophagectomy without neoadjuvant chemotherapy and RT. These patients underwent RT (50-60 Gy) combined with 2-6 cycles chemotherapy after surgery. The time intervals were from 17 days to 145 days and divided into three groups: short interval group (≤28 days, S-Int group), medial interval group (≥29 and ≤ 56 days, M-Int group) and long interval group (≥57 days, L-Int group).

RESULTS

Median follow-up was 35.6 months and the 3-, 5-year survival rates and median survival were 49.5%, 36.6% and 35.9 months. The duration of postoperative interval was a predictor of survival outcomes. The median survival and 5-year survival rates in S-Int, M-Int and L-Int groups were 23.6 (32.1%), 44.2 (43.3%) and 32.0 (31.5%) months (P=0.007). The difference was statistically significant between the M-Int and S-Int or L-Int group but was not between the S-Int and L-Int group. Besides, toxic reactions including early, late and adverse events (grade ≥3) in M-Int group were significantly less than S-Int and show no significant differences with L-Int group.

CONCLUSION

The optimal time interval was from 29 days to 56 days (5-8 weeks) both in terms of survival outcomes and toxic reactions.

A FDG-PET radiomics signature detects esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients who do not benefit from chemoradiation

Detection of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) who do not benefit from standard chemoradiation (CRT) is an important medical need. Radiomics using 18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) is a promising approach. In this retrospective study of 184 patients with locally advanced ESCC. 152 patients from one center were grouped into a training cohort (n = 100) and an internal validation cohort (n = 52). External validation was performed with 32 patients treated at a second center. Primary endpoint was disease-free survival (DFS), secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and local control (LC). FDG-PET radiomics features were selected by Lasso-Cox regression analyses and a separate radiomics signature was calculated for each endpoint. In the training cohort radiomics signatures containing up to four PET derived features were able to identify non-responders in regard of all endpoints (DFS p < 0.001, LC p = 0.003, OS p = 0.001). After successful internal validation of the cutoff values generated by the training cohort for DFS (p = 0.025) and OS (p = 0.002), external validation using these cutoffs was successful for DFS (p = 0.002) but not for the other investigated endpoints. These results suggest that pre-treatment FDG-PET features may be useful to detect patients who do not respond to CRT and could benefit from alternative treatment.

The clinical outcomes of elderly esophageal cancer patients who received definitive chemoradiotherapy

BACKGROUND

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by an esophagectomy is the standard treatment for locally advanced esophageal cancer, but remains a great challenge for elderly patients. Therefore, we aim to evaluate the efficacy of definitive CRT in elderly patients with esophageal cancer.

METHODS

From December 2007 to October 2017, 40 esophageal cancer patients aged ≥70 years receiving definitive CRT were retrospectively analyzed. All patients received cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Ten patients received standard doses of cisplatin 20 mg/m and fluorouracil (5-FU) 800 mg/m for 4 days, during the first and fifth weeks of radiotherapy. Eighteen patients received modified doses of cisplatin 16 to 18 mg/m and 5-FU 600 to 800 mg/m. Twelve patients received lower doses of cisplatin 10 to 12 mg/m and 5-FU 400 to 600 mg/m. The endpoints were overall survival (OS), tumor response rate, and treatment compliance.

RESULTS

The 3-year OS rate was 28.8% The 3-year OS rates for patients receiving standard, modified, and lower doses were 12.5%, 53.8%, and 0.0%, respectively (p = 0.05). There were 87.5% of patients completing the scheduled radiotherapy dose, along with two cycles of concurrent chemotherapy. The response rate (clinical complete response and partial response rate) was 70.0%. Multivariate analysis revealed that no statistical difference was found in the OS among three groups of chemotherapy dosage. The treatment response was the only independent prognostic factor to OS (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Definitive CRT with dose modification is a feasible, safe, and reasonable treatment for elderly esophageal cancer patients. Achieving a better compliance to CRT via an optimal dose modification of chemotherapy may provide better clinical outcomes and would be the treatment goal for elderly esophageal cancer patients.

Recent advances in treating oesophageal cancer

Esophageal cancer (EC) is an aggressive malignancy with an increasing incidence and a poor prognosis. EC is histologically divided into two major categories: adenocarcinoma (EAC) and squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). EAC and ESCC are molecularly different and therefore treatments should reflect the respective histological subtype. Combined modality therapy is needed for localized EC. When EC is advanced (stage 4), systemic therapy is the mainstay treatment for palliation. For localized EC, several strategies are considered standard, and more trials are necessary to determine a unified and more effective approach. The management for advanced EC is slowly evolving as immunotherapy is showing some promise for ESCC, but more data from ongoing studies are anticipated. Treatment advances will be based on high-definition genomic investigation of individual tumors. Herein, we review the contemporary trends in diagnosing and treating EAC and ESCC.

Cardiac radiation dose predicts survival in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma treated by definitive concurrent chemotherapy and intensity modulated radiotherapy

BACKGROUND

The prognostic significance of cardiac radiation dose in esophageal cancer after definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) remains largely unknown. We aimed to investigate the association between cardiac dose-volume parameters and overall survival (OS) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after definitive CCRT.

METHODS

One hundred and twenty-one ESCC patients undergoing definitive CCRT with intensity modulated radiotherapy technique between 2008 and 2018 were reviewed. Cardiac dose-volume parameters were calculated. Survival of patients and cumulative incidence of adverse events were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared between groups by the log-rank test. The prognostic significance of cardiac dose-volume parameters was determined with multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis.

RESULTS

Median follow-up was 16.2 months (range, 4.3-109.3). Median OS was 18.4 months. Heart V5, V10, and V20 were independent prognostic factors of OS. Median OS was longer for patients with heart V5 ≤ 94.3% (24.7 vs. 16.3 months, p = 0.0025), heart V10 ≤ 86.4% (24.8 vs. 16.9 months, p = 0.0041), and heart V20 ≤ 76.9% (20.0 vs. 17.2 months, p = 0.047). Lower cumulative incidence of symptomatic cardiac adverse events was observed among patients with heart V5 ≤ 94.3% (p = 0.017), heart V10 ≤ 86.4% (p = 0.02), and heart V20 ≤ 76.9% (p = 0.0057). Patients without symptomatic cardiac adverse events had a higher 3-year OS rate (33.8% vs. 0%, p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiac radiation dose inversely correlated with survival in ESCC after definitive CCRT. Radiation dose to the heart should be minimized.

It's not always too late: a case for minimally invasive salvage esophagectomy

INTRODUCTION

Standard of care for locally advanced esophageal carcinoma is neoadjuvant chemoradiation (nCRT) and surgical resection 4-8 weeks after completion of nCRT. It is recommended that the CRT to surgery interval not exceed 90 days. Many patients do not undergo surgery within this timeframe due to patient/physician preference, complete clinical response, or poor performance status. Select patients are offered salvage esophagectomy (SE), defined in two ways: resection for recurrent/persistent disease after complete response to definitive CRT (dCRT) or esophagectomy performed > 90 days after completion of nCRT. Salvage esophagectomy reportedly has higher postoperative morbidity and poor survival outcomes. In this study, we assessed outcomes, overall, and disease-free survival of patients undergoing salvage esophagectomy by both definitions (recurrent/persistent disease after dCRT and/or > 90 days), compared to planned (resection after nCRT/within 90 days) esophagectomy (PE).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database identified patients who underwent minimally invasive esophagectomy at a single institution from 2009 to 2019. Esophagectomy for benign disease and patients who did not receive nCRT were excluded. Outcomes included postoperative complications, length of stay (LOS), disease-free survival, and overall survival.

RESULTS

97 patients underwent minimally invasive esophageal resection for esophageal carcinoma. 89.7% of patients were male. Mean age was 64.9 years (range 36-85 years). 94.8% of patients had adenocarcinoma, with 16 transthoracic and 81 transhiatal approaches. On comparing planned esophagectomy (n = 87) to esophagectomy after dCRT failure (n = 10), no significant differences were identified in overall survival (p = 0.73), disease-free survival (p = 0.32), 30-day or major complication rate, anastomotic leak, or LOS. Similarly, when comparing esophagectomy < 90 days after CRT (n = 62) to > 90 days after CRT completion (n = 35), no significant differences were identified in overall survival (p = 0.39), disease-free survival (p = 0.71), 30-day or major complication rate, LOS, or anastomotic leak rate between groups. In this comparison, local recurrence was noted to be elevated with SE as compared to PE (64.3% vs. 25.0%, p = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

Overall survival and disease-free survival were equivalent between SE and PE. Local recurrence was noted to be increased with SE, though this did not appear to affect survival. Although planned esophagectomy remains the standard of care, salvage esophagectomy has comparable outcomes and is appropriate for selected patients.

Radiation dose escalation can improve local disease control and survival among esophageal cancer patients with large primary tumor volume receiving definitive chemoradiotherapy

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate the correlation between primary tumor volume and cancer failure patterns in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) treated with definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) and examine whether increasing radiation dose can improve the outcome.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 124 patients with stage III ESCC treated by definitive CCRT. The primary tumor volume calculated from the radiotherapy planning computed tomography scans was correlated to treatment response, time to disease progression, and overall survival. We further analyzed whether a higher radiation dose correlated with better disease control and patient survival.

RESULTS

Patients with poor CCRT response had a larger primary tumor volume than those with good response (97.9 vs 64.3 cm3, P = 0.032). The optimal cutoff value to predict CCRT response was 55.3 cm3. Large primary tumor volume (≥ 55.3 cm3) correlated with shorter time to tumor progression in the esophagus (13.6 vs 48.6 months, P = 0.033) compared with small tumor volume (< 55.3 cm3). For the large esophageal tumors (≥ 55.3 cm3), radiation dose > 60 gray significantly prolonged the time to tumor progression in esophagus (20.3 vs 10.1 months, P = 0.036) and overall survival (12.2 vs 8.0 months, P = 0.030), compared with dose ≤ 60 gray. In contrast, higher radiation dose did not benefit local disease control or overall survival in the small esophageal tumors (< 55.3 cm3).

CONCLUSION

Large primary tumor volume correlates with poor local control and overall survival in ESCC treated with definitive CCRT. Radiation dose > 60 gray can improve the outcomes in patients with large primary tumor. Further prospective dose escalation trials are warranted.

The Current Evidence on Neoadjuvant Therapy for Locally Advanced Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment for locally advanced esophageal cancer. Neoadjuvant therapy is recommended to improve survival, based on the results of several randomized trials and meta-analyses. However, controversy remains regarding how to combine surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Moreover, in East Asia, the predominant histological type is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, which has a different epidemiology and tumor biology from esophageal or gastroesophageal junctional adenocarcinoma. As such, the management of esophageal cancer in East Asia seems to be different from that in Western countries. Thus, this article reviews the current evidence on neoadjuvant therapy and considers the optimal combinations and ongoing strategies of multimodal therapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.