The efficacy of neoadjuvant chemo- and radiotherapy in operable oesophageal cancer

Aims: Authors analyze the improvement of the clinical symptoms and radiological stage after neoadjuvant therapy in case of operable oesophageal cancer.

Patients and methods: Neoadjuvant, combined chemo- and radiotherapy (5 Fluorouracyl, Cisplatin and 50 Gy coirradiation) was administered in 51 patients (47 male, 4 female with a mean age of 59,5 years) with operable oesophageal cancer. There were 42 squamous and 9 adenoid carcinoma in this seria. The changes of dysphagia (mild, medium and severe) and body weigh was observed after the neoadjuvant therapy. The CT scans following the therapy were also compared with the previous mentioned scans.

Results: The stage of the dysphagia has become better in 38 (74,5%) patients, the body weigh was grown in 29 (56,8%) patients after the neoadjuvant therapy. Complete or partial radiological remission was observed in 19 (37,3%) patients. After curative resection a complete histological remission was occurred in 3 (5,8%) and partial remission in 14 (27,5%) cases. The clinical stadium of the disease worsened in only one patient, who died before operation.

Conclusions: On the basis of these results the authors suggest the praeoperativ combined chemo- and radiotherapy in case of operable oesophagel cancer. This therapy assures better general condition for the operation. In 33,3% of all cases partial or complete histological remission may be develop.