Intensity modulated radiotherapy combined with paclitaxel and nedaplatin in concurrent chemoradiotherapy for cervical and upper -thoracic esophageal carcinoma

Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness and prognostic factors of intensity modulated radiotherapy(IM-RT)and concurrent paclitaxel plus nedaplatin(TP regimen)for cervical and upper -thoracic esophageal carcinoma. Methods:Thirty -two patients with cervical and upper -thoracic esophageal carcinoma treated with IMRT combined with concurrent TP regimen chemotherapy were retrospectively analyzed.The survival rates and progress free survival (PFS)and related prognostic factors were evaluated with SPSS 19.0 software.Results:The follow -up rate was 100% by July 2014,the median follow -up period was 16 months.1 -year,2 -year and 3 -year survival rates were 86.4%,63.9% and 37.8% respectively.The median progression -free survival(PFS)time and overall survival(OS) time were 20 and 36 months,respectively.Univariate analysis showed that the significant prognostic factors included the degree of dysphagia,ECOG score,lesion length in barium esophagogram,T stage,non -surgical N stage,clinical TNMstage,short term effect.Multivariate analysis revealed that the lesion length before radiotherapy and non -surgi-cal N stage were independent prognostic factors.Conclusion:IMRT and concurrent TP regimen was effective and fea-sible treatment for patients with cervical and upper -thoracic esophageal carcinoma.The short lesion length before ra-diotherapy and non -surgical N stage were independent prognostic factors for survival of patients treated with IMRT and concurrent TP regimen.