Docetaxel plus 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin (DCF) induction chemotherapy for locally advanced borderline-resectable T4 esophageal cancer.

BACKGROUND This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of docetaxel plus 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin (DCF) induction chemotherapy for locally advanced borderline-resectable T4 esophageal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS We retrospectively analyzed data regarding thirty patients with borderline-resectable T4 tumor who received either DCF or cisplatin plus 5-fluorouracil (FP) as induction chemotherapy. RESULTS The overall response rate was significantly better for the DCF group than the FP group. In the DCF group, 6/16 patients achieved a grade 2 histological post-chemotherapeutic effect after treatment, compared to 1/14 in FP group. Except for myelotoxicity, no other significant differences in toxicity were observed during induction chemotherapy between groups. The DCF regimen did not result in increased postoperative complications compared to the FP regimen. Postoperative recurrence or distant metastasis was observed in 7/10 of FP patients and 5/12 of DCF patients. CONCLUSION DCF induction chemotherapy may be an option for conversion therapy of initially unresectable, locally advanced esophageal cancer.