Efficacy of combined modality treatment including neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with esophageal cancer

Short-and long-term results of combined modality treatment including neoadjuvant chemotherapy were analyzed in patients with stage II-III esophageal cancer. Group I patients (n=18) received 2 courses of combined gemzar/cisplatin chemotherapy followed by radical surgery. The control group patients (n=20) underwent surgery alone. In the adjuvant chemotherapy group, the rate of immediate response was 38.9 % and complete response was observed in 1 (5.6 %) patient. Treatment was well tolerated by patients. The rates of postoperative complications did not significantly differ between the groups (22.2 % and 25.0 %, respectively, p>0.05). Combined modality treatment including neoadjuvant chemotherapy provided better 2-year overall and relapse-free survival rates than surgery alone (87.5 ± 8.2 % and 87.5 ± 8.2 % compared to 63.2 ± 11.1 % and 47.4 ± 11.4 %, respectively, р