Comparison of definitive chemoradiotherapy and esophagectomy for stage I esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
67 Background: Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) of esophageal cancer has been proposed as an alternative to esophagectomy given the favourable survival rate and mild toxicity. However, no comparative study is reported between esophagectomy and CRT in stage I esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Methods: A total of 54 patients treated by definitive CRT and 116 patients treated by esophagectomy at out institution between February 1995 and August 2008 were included in the analysis. Overall survival and recurrence rates were evaluated. Results: Of 170 patients who had clinical stage I esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and treated by definitive CRT or esophagectomy, 169 patients (99%) were completely followed up. CRT mainly consisted of two cycles of cisplatin and fluorouracil with concurrent radiotherapy of 60 Gy in 30 fractions. Median (range) observation period was 67 (10–171) months in SURG group and 30 (4–77) months in CRT group. In CRT group grade 3 or grade 4 hematological or non-hematological adverse effects were seen in 24 (44.4%) patients. 1-year and 3-year overall survival rates were 97.4% and 85.5% in the SURG group and 98.1% and 88.7% in the CRT group (P = 0.78). By using Cox proportional hazards modelling, overall survival was comparable between the 2 groups after adjusting for age, sex, and size of cancer. Hazard ratio of CRT for overall survival was 0.95 (95% CI: 0.37-2.47). The incidence or local recurrence including metachronous esophageal cancer was significantly higher in the CRT group than the SURG group (P < 0.0001). All recurrences were intramucosal carcinomas and all of them were cured after the salvage treatment mainly using endoscopy. Conclusions: Overall survival rate of CRT was comparable with esophagectomy despite high local recurrence rate. Local recurrent carcinoma is endoscopically treatable in all patients without influence on overall survival. CRT appears to be a reasonable alternative to esophagectomy in patients with stage I esophageal cancer. No significant financial relationships to disclose.