Increasing the interval between neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and surgery in esophageal cancer: A meta-analysis of published studies.

e15044 Background: Neoadjuvant chemordiotherapy followed by surgery was the most common approach for patients with resectable esophageal cancer. Operation was performed within 2 to 8 weeks after nCRT were completed. The aim of this meta-analysis was to clarify whether a longer interval between the end of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) and surgery was associated with a better overall survival in esophageal cancer. Methods: We performed a systematic literature search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Contralled Trials (CENTRAL/CCTR), Clinical Trials from January 2000 to December 2014. Eligible studies were prospective or retrospective studies of esophageal cancer that assessed the effects of intervals longer or shorter than 7 to 8 weeks between the end of nCRT and surgery. The primary endpoint was the overall survival (OS) and pathologic complete response (pCR). Secondary endpoints were anastomotic leak, R0 resection and postoperative mortality rate. A meta-analysis was performed to est...