Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for clinical stage II-III esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Background: The clinical significance of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT) for potentially resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is unclear. Patients and Methods: Patients with clinical stage II-III ESCC were classified into an NACRT group (n=76) and surgery alone group (n=92). The prognosis and the incidence of postoperative complications were retrospectively investigated. The pathological response to NACRT and patient prognosis were also analyzed. Results: The 5-year survival rate was 47.7% in the surgery alone group and 56.5% in the NACRT group (p=0.4831). The 5-year survival rates of patients in whom NACRT was markedly effective was clearly better than that of the other patients (ineffective/slightly effective: 36.9%, moderately effective: 53.8%, markedly effective: 100%). The incidence of postoperative complications was 31.5% in the surgery alone group and 40.8% in the NACRT group (p=0.2121). Conclusion: A pathological complete response to NACRT is critical for improving the survival of patients with clinical stageII-III ESCC.