Strategy Treatment of cT4b Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Using Docetaxel, Cisplatin, and 5-Fluorouracil

Abstract

Background/aim: This study analyzed the outcomes of docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil (DCF) therapy and DCF plus concurrent radiotherapy (DCF-RT), both followed by conversion surgery, if possible, in patients with cT4b esophageal cancer.

Patients and methods: Forty-six patients with cT4b esophageal cancer, including borderline cT4b lesions, were eligible. Borderline cT4b lesions were treated with induction DCF therapy. For definitive cT4b lesions, definitive DCF-RT was administered. Patients unsuitable for induction DCF therapy or DCF-RT were treated with other therapies. After treatment, conversion surgery (CS) was performed for the residual tumor in resectable cases.

Results: Induction DCF therapy was administered to 12 patients (group A), and DCF-RT was provided to 18 patients (group B). Meanwhile, other therapies were provided to 16 patients (group C). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 66.7, 30.0, and 15.0%, respectively, in group A; 66.7, 37.5, and 37.5%, respectively, in group B; and 62.5, 0, and 0%, respectively, in group C. DCF-RT tended to prolong survival, albeit without significance (p=0.1040). The group A + B had significantly better overall survival than group C (p=0.0437). Fourteen patients underwent CS (30.4%), and patients who underwent CS had significantly better overall survival than those who did not undergo surgery (p=0.0291).

Conclusion: Induction DCF or DCF-RT is promising for the treatment of cT4b esophageal cancer. Effective CS including combined resection of the invaded organ can contribute to improved therapeutic outcomes.

Keywords: Chemoradiotherapy; DCF; T4; conversion surgery; esophageal cancer; induction chemotherapy.