Late course accelerated hyperfractionated radiotherapy plus concurrent cisplatin-based chemotherapy for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Objective To evaluate the treatment efficacy and treatment-related toxicity of late course accelerated hyperfractionated radiotherapy (LCAHRT) combined with cisplatin-based chemotherapy (CHT) for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).Methods A total of 46 patients with histologically confirmed ESCC,11 in the stage Ⅱa,3 in the stage Ⅱb,and 32 in the stage Ⅲ,underwent conventional fractioned radiation of 40 Gy in 20 fractions on the primary and metastatic lymph nodes,and high-risk lymph node drainage regions,and then the primary and metastatic lymph nodes were irradiated as boost with an additional dose of 19.6 Gy in 14 fractions (1.4 Gy twice a day),and the total prescribed dose was 59.6 Gy in 34 fractions.Two cycles of CHT were administered concurrently during the radiotherapy.The 1-,3-,and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates and local control rates (LCRs) were evaluated by Kaplan-Meier method,and treatment-related toxicity was analyzed based on the RTOG and CTCAE criteria 3.0.Results All patients received the whole course of treatment.The median followup time was 34.4 months (6-67 months).The overall response rate was 91.3％ (42/46).The median OS was 38.5 months (95％ CI 29.6-47.4 months).The 1-,3-,and 5-year OS rates and LCRs were 78.6％,49.4％,and 39.9％,and 84.3％,68.2％,and 61.4％ respectively.The incidence of ≥ G3 radiationinduced esophagitis was 23.9％.Three kinds of serious (≥G3) hematologic toxicities were recorded,including leucopenia (26.1％),thrombocytopenia (13.0％),and anemia (10.9％).Esophagotracheal fistula was recorded in 2 patients (4.3％).Conclusion LCAHRT plus CTH can be favorable for the patients with locally advanced ESCC,however,the treatment-related toxicities may be serious. Key words: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma;  Late course accelerated hyperfractionated radiotherapy ;  Chemotherapy