Definitive chemoradiotherapy for patients with malignant stricture due to T3 or T4 squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus
2003

Chemoradiotherapy for Oesophageal Cancer with Malignant Stricture

Sample size: 57 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Kaneko K, Ito H, Konishi K, Kurahashi T, Ito T, Katagiri A, Yamamoto T, Kitahara T, Mizutani Y, Ohtsu A, Mitamura K

Primary Institution: Showa University School of Medicine

Hypothesis

The study investigates the efficacy and feasibility of chemoradiotherapy for patients with malignant stricture caused by squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus.

Conclusion

Chemoradiotherapy can improve dysphagia and survival rates in patients with advanced oesophageal cancer.

Supporting Evidence

  • Chemoradiotherapy improved dysphagia in 81% of patients.
  • 24 patients achieved complete response (CR) with chemoradiotherapy.
  • The median survival time for T3 patients was 29 months, while for T4 it was 11 months.
  • Significant toxicity was observed, including leukocytopenia and oesophagitis.
  • Patients with T4 disease had a lower CR rate compared to T3 disease.

Takeaway

This study shows that a special treatment can help people with a serious swallowing problem caused by cancer in the food pipe.

Methodology

The study evaluated 57 patients with advanced oesophageal cancer, analyzing the effects of chemoradiotherapy on dysphagia and survival.

Potential Biases

Potential bias in patient selection and treatment evaluation.

Limitations

The study is retrospective and may have selection bias due to the exclusion of patients with certain conditions.

Participant Demographics

57 patients, 47 men and 10 women, median age 64 years.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.009

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1038/sj.bjc.6600684

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