Concurrent chemoradiotherapy with protracted infusion of 5-FU and cisplatin for postoperative recurrent or residual esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND: We carried out the present study to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CT-RT) for postoperative recurrent esophageal cancer, which are, at present, unclear. METHODS: Between 1998 and 2002, 16 patients with postoperative loco-regional recurrence of esophageal cancer, and two patients with incompletely resected esophageal cancer were treated with concurrent CT-RT. Patients received protracted infusion of 5-FU 250-300 mg/m(2) on days 1 to 14, 1 hour infusion of cisplatin 10 mg/body on days 1 to 5 and 8 to 12, and a concurrent radiotherapy (RT) dose of 30 Gy in 15 fractions over 3 weeks. This treatment schedule was repeated twice with a gap of 1 week, for a total RT dose of 60 Gy administered over 7 weeks. RESULTS: Of the 18 patients, 13 (72%) completed the CT-RT protocol. A total RT dose of 60 Gy was administered for all except two patients, and doses of chemotherapy were reduced for five patients. Although grade 3 hematological toxicities were frequently noted, non-hematological toxicities of grades 3 and 4 were few. Of the 18 tumors, five (28%) showed complete response (CR). For patients without prior chemotherapy, the CR rate was 40% (4/10). The 2-year survival rate of 13 patients without distant metastases was 19%, with a median survival time of 9.5 months. CONCLUSION: The concurrent CT-RT protocol appears feasible and effective for patients with postoperative recurrent or residual esophageal cancer.