PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - CHRISTIANE M.R. THALLINGER
AU  - BARBARA KIESEWETTER
AU  - MARKUS RADERER
AU  - MICHAEL HEJNA
TI  - Pre- and Postoperative Treatment Modalities for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
DP  - 2012 Nov 01
TA  - Anticancer Research
PG  - 4609--4627
VI  - 32
IP  - 11
4099  - http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/32/11/4609.short
4100  - http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/32/11/4609.full
SO  - Anticancer Res2012 Nov 01; 32
AB  - Background: The objective of this article was to review randomized clinical trials (RCTs) utilizing pre- and postoperative treatment modalities for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Materials and Methods: A computerized (MEDLINE) and manual search was performed to identify articles published on this topic between 1984 and 2012. Results: We identified a total of 49 published RCTs, which included a total of 8,785 patients with ESCC. Treatment modalities consisted of pre- (n=38) and postoperative (n=11) chemo-, radio- and chemoradiotherapy. While both preoperative chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy apparently improve R0 resection, they often result in substantial postoperative morbidity and mortality. Only for preoperative chemoradiotherapy does there seem to be a significant benefit in overall survival. Conclusion: R0 resection remains the only curative therapy for patients with ESCC. While preoperative chemoradiotherapy may improve overall survival, there is still the need for well-designed RCTs, which should include a homogeneous patient collective, to clarify the question of definitive benefit.