OBJECTIVE The efficacy of endoscopic screening for esophageal cancer in patients with hypopharyngeal cancer remains controversial and its impact on prognosis has not been adequately discussed. We studied the use of endoscopic screening to detect esophageal cancer in hypopharyngeal cancer patients by analyzing the incidence, stage and prognosis. METHODS We included 64 patients with hypopharyng...

The outcome of patients with T4 esophageal cancer, defined as a tumor that invades neighboring structures (e.g., aorta, trachea, bronchus, and lung), is extremely poor. Despite recent advances in surgical techniques, these tumors are usually considered inoperable. Two distinct therapeutic options are currently available for T4 esophageal cancers: chemo-radiotherapy followed by surgery (CRT-S), ...

BACKGROUND The palliation of dysphagia in metastatic esophageal cancer remains a challenge, and the optimal approach for this difficult clinical scenario is not clear. We therefore sought to define and determine the efficacy of various treatment options used at our institution for this condition. METHODS We reviewed a prospective database for all patients managed in an esophageal cancer refer...

This prospective study aimed at assessing the efficiency and safety of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) using paclitaxel (PTX) plus oxaliplatin (OHP) in unresectable locally advanced esophageal cancer patients. Between January 2006 and December 2010, 34 patients with unresectable locally advanced esophageal cancer were enrolled in this study. Radiotherapy was delivered with a daily fraction ...

OBJECTIVE This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to systematically assess the effects of concurrent chemo-radiotherapy (CRT) compared with radiotherapy (RT) alone for elderly Chinese patients with non-metastatic esophageal squamous cancer. METHODS We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), China Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), and China ...

Background Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) using conventional platinum-based doublets are often associated with significant incidence of toxic effects in elderly patients with esophageal cancer. We previously reported a phase I trial of CCRT using S-1, an oral 5-fluorouracil derivative, which yielded well safe and active outcomes. Methods Patients with histologically confirmed esophageal ...

BACKGROUND/AIMS The aim of this study was to analyze and propose a treatment strategy after endoscopic resection of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in a single institution. METHODS This is a retrospective review of 37 patients who were treated by endoscopic resection during a 6-year period. RESULTS The mean tumor size was 11.5±5.5 mm (range, 3 to 31 mm). Thirty-one lesions (8...

INTRODUCTION Lung cancer patients receiving radiotherapy present with acute esophagitis and chronic fibrosis, as a result of radiation injury to esophageal tissues. We have shown that soy isoflavones alleviate pneumonitis and fibrosis caused by radiation toxicity to normal lung. The effect of soy isoflavones on esophagitis histopathological changes induced by radiation was investigated. METHO...

AIM Patients with T3 or more squamous cell esophageal cancer underwent low-dose preoperative radiotherapy with chemotherapy, to reduce local recurrence, followed by surgery. The aim was to ascertain tumor response and assess prognostic factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between May 2002 and June 2011, 37 consecutive patients with esophageal cancer underwent chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery. T...

Background. Currently primary treatment options for esophageal cancer are surgery only or concomitant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and the long-term survival of patients with locally advanced disease is rare. Preoperative concomitant CRT seems to be beneficial, mostly in patients who achieve a complete pathologic response (pCR) after CRT. In this retrospective analysis the efficiency and toxicity of...