A case of advanced esophageal carcinoma successfully treated with chemoradiation therapy with low-dose cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil

We have experienced a case of advanced esophageal carcinoma successfully treated with chemoradiation therapy together with low-dose cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil, having only minor toxicity. A 55-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of dysphagia. Cervical esophageal carcinoma was found to have invaded the larynx through endoscopy, and invasion to thyroid gland and trachea was suspected from a cervical CT. We diagnosed the condition as advanced esophageal carcinoma (A2N(-)M0Pl0 Stage III). We then treated the patient by chemoradiation therapy. After the treatment, the carcinoma could not be detected by CT and endoscopy, and endoscopic biopsy revealed there were no active carcinoma cells. The side effects of the therapy were very mild, therefore the patient could be discharged after a short time. No evidence of a tumor relapse was found 5 months after the therapy. We treated 4 patients with esophageal carcinoma using the same regimen, and the results of the therapy were 2 CR, 1 PR, and 1 PD, with an overall response rate of 75%.