Esophageal Carcinoma: It is Time to Move on
Journal Title: Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research (BJSTR) - Year 2017, Vol 1, Issue 3
Abstract
Esophageal carcinoma is a rare cancer of the gastro-intestinal tract, but the incidence is increasing annually. This is because of continued smoking (Epidermoid Carcinoma) and the high incidence of acid reflux disorder as in Western Hemisphere (Adenocarcinoma). The later in part may be due to abuse of alcohol, and being overweight. In the seventies the primary treatment of localized disease of the esophagus was surgery alone for mid and lower third operable and resectable early lesion. Post operative radiotherapy (RT) was recommended and given to those with close margin(s) and/or found to have regional lymph node(s) involvement. The patients with cancers of the upper third, regardless of their pathology, and those with locally advanced disease where treated with radiation only [1-6]. In spite of the above, the overall five year survival was very poor and unacceptable. With the introduction of Cisplatin chemotherapy in patients with advanced head and neck cancers, and possible activities in patients with esophageal carcinoma, led to the early combined modality therapy in these patients. Induction Cisplatin followed by RT, concurrent or post total RT where the early of these trials, and results where somewhat encouraging. With our introduction of Platinol and 5FU (PF) as active combination in previously untreated head and neck cancers, this led to the use of PF in locally advanced esophageal carcinoma with or without surgical removal or total RT in these patients. The total RT was reduced to 5,000 cGr when was combined and concurrent with this effective CT because of the overall tolerance and toxicities. A phase II trial was conducted in the RTOG using two courses of modified PF combined with RT was tolerable, effective and acceptable. This led to the well known intergroup trial, headed by the RTOG of total RT compared to two courses of PF concurrent with RT, followed by additional two courses of the same doses PF post RT. The results of this important trial, was outstanding, and even more than anticipated. This led by a second intergroup randomized trial, comparing total RT to same CT dose and sequence, but the concurrent with increased dose of total RT to 6,000 cGr against the original authors concern. As predicted, the trial ended early with about 10% treatment death in the combined arm. So, the standard arm reverse back to concurrent two courses of PF with 5,000 cGr, and adjuvant two courses of PF and unfortunately remained the “gold” standard treatment for these patients until today.
Authors and Affiliations
Muhyi Al-Sarraf
Keywords
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- EP ID EP572117
- DOI 10.26717/BJSTR.2017.01.000297
- Views 178
- Downloads 0
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