Concurrent FP (5-fluorouracil, cisplatin) Chemoradiotherapy for Patients with Esophageal Cancer

• Published in: Cancer research and treatment Vol. 35; no. 4; pp. 330 - 334
• Main Authors: Kim, Min Ok, Hong, Eui Sil, Chai, Ji Young, Leem, Joung Muk, You, Il Young, Kim, Won Dong, Park, Woo Yoon, Kim, Seung Taik, Lee, Ki Hyeong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) 01.08.2003
• Subjects: Esophageal neoplasm; Concurrent chemoradiotherapy
• ISSN: 1598-2998; 2005-9256
• DOI: 10.4143/crt.2003.35.4.330

The outcomes of a surgical approach for patients with an esophageal carcinoma remain unsatisfactory despite its high complication rates. We conducted a phase II trial, using combined FP (5-fluorouracil and cisplatin) chemotherapy and concurrent radiotherapy, as a definitive therapy for patients with esophageal cancer. Patients with histologically proven esophageal cancer were enrolled onto this study. The treatment consisted of four courses of chemotherapy and six and a half weeks of radiotherapy. The patients received chemotherapy in weeks 1, 5, 12 and 16 (5-fluorouracil 1, 000 mg/m2 on days 1 to 4 and cisplatin 75 mg/m2 on day 1). Radiotherapy was administered at a dose of 59.4 Gy, in five 1.8 Gy fractions a week. A total of 22 eligible patients entered the study. Of the 19 evaluable patients, a complete response occurred in 7 (37%), and a partial response in 8 (42%). After a median follow-up of 35 months, the overall survival rate was 32% at three years and the median survival was 11 months. Fourteen (64%) received planned dose of radio-therapy and 13 (59%) received more than three courses of chemotherapy. However, there was no difference in three-year survival rates between the patients that received less than three courses of chemotherapy and those that received three or more courses (31% vs. 32%). The major treatment related toxicity was mucositis, which developed in every patient, with grades III or IV in thirteen (59%) patients. During the treatment, the patients lost, on average, 3.8% of their body weight. The mean hospital stay was 23 days, with a total duration of treatment of 74 days. S: Concurrent FP chemoradiotherapy was effective as a definitive therapy for patients with esophageal cancer. The major toxicity was mucositis. Although the treatment was relatively feasible, a randomized trial of reduced courses of chemotherapy is warranted.