[Clinical significance of chemotherapy and chemo-radiotherapy in patients with metastatic esophageal cancer].

PURPOSE: We investigated the clinical significance of chemo-radiotherapy (CRT) and chemotherapy (CT) in patients with primary metastatic esophageal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-six patients with esophageal cancer received CRT (n =21) or CT alone (n=5) as a first treatment for para-aortic lymph node and/or hematogenous metastases. The therapeutic effect, duration of treatment, changes in performance status before and after treatment, and survival were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The median duration of treatment was 2.9 months for CRT and 2.3 months for CT. The response rate was 76% in patients who underwent CRT and 20% in patients who underwent CT. In 18 patients (69%), the level of performance status showed no change after treatment in comparison with that before treatment. The median survival time was 5.6 months after CRT and 5.8 months after CT (p=0.91). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the majority of patients with extremely advanced esophageal cancer can tolerate CRT or CT well without compromising their performance status within their limited life expectancy.