Background: Changes in the size and density of esophageal malignancy during neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) may be useful in predicting overall survival (OS). The aim of this study was to explore this relationship in patients with adenocarcinoma.
Methods: A retrospective single-centre cohort study was performed. Consecutive patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma who received NCT followed by en bloc resection with curative intent were identified. Pre- and post-NCT computed tomography scans were reviewed. The percentage difference between the greatest tumor diameter, esophageal wall thickness and tumor density was calculated. Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified variables independently associated with OS. A ROC analysis was performed on radiological markers to identify optimal cut-off points with Kaplan-Meier plots subsequently created.
Results: Of the 167 identified, 88 (51.5%) had disease of the gastro-esophageal junction and 149 (89.2%) were clinical T3. In total, 122 (73.1%) had node-positive disease. Increased tumor density (HR 1.01 per % change, 95% CI 1.00-1.02, p = 0.007), lymphovascular invasion (HR 3.23, 95% CI 1.34-7.52, p = 0.006) and perineural invasion (HR 2.51, 95% CI 1.03-6.08, p = 0.048) were independently associated with a decrease in OS. Patients who had a decrease in their tumor density during the time they received NCT of ≥ 20% in Hounsfield units had significantly longer OS than those who did not (75.5 months versus 34.4 months, 95% CI 38.83-105.13/18.63-35.07, p = 0.025).
Conclusions: Interval changes in the density, not size, of esophageal adenocarcinoma during the time that NCT are independently associated with OS.
Keywords: Adenocarcinoma; Esophagus; Imaging; Survival.
© 2022. The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract.