PURPOSE: Small-cell esophageal carcinoma (SCEC) is a rare disease for which standard therapy has not yet been established. We report the results of three cases of limited-stage SCEC treated with combination therapy using carboplatin (CBDCA) and etoposide (VP-16) and radiotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical stage according to the Japanese Classification of Esophageal Cancer 7th ed. was stage III in 2 cases and stage IVa in 1. These patients with limited-stage SCEC were treated at our institution with four cycles of CBDCA and VP-16, either concurrent with radiotherapy for the second two cycles (n = 2) or followed by radiotherapy after the last cycle (n = 1). RESULTS: A complete response (CR) was obtained for all three patients, resulting in a response rate of 100%. Two patients are alive at 16.4 and 22.5 months after initial treatment. One patient died with myeloid leukemia at 43.5 months after initial treatment. None of the patients had loco-regional recurrence. Brain metastasis was detected in one patient at 7 months after initial therapy and was treated with stereotactic radiotherapy combined with whole brain irradiation. CONCLUSION: CBDCA and VP-16 in combination with radiotherapy should be considered an important treatment option for SCEC.
PURPOSE: Small-cell esophageal carcinoma (SCEC) is a rare disease for which standard therapy has not yet been established. We report the results of three cases of limited-stage SCEC treated with combination therapy using carboplatin (CBDCA) and etoposide (VP-16) and radiotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical stage according to the Japanese Classification of Esophageal Cancer 7th ed. was stage III in 2 cases and stage IVa in 1. These patients with limited-stage SCEC were treated at our institution with four cycles of CBDCA and VP-16, either concurrent with radiotherapy for the second two cycles (n = 2) or followed by radiotherapy after the last cycle (n = 1). RESULTS: A complete response (CR) was obtained for all three patients, resulting in a response rate of 100%. Two patients are alive at 16.4 and 22.5 months after initial treatment. One patient died with myeloid leukemia at 43.5 months after initial treatment. None of the patients had loco-regional recurrence. Brain metastasis was detected in one patient at 7 months after initial therapy and was treated with stereotactic radiotherapy combined with whole brain irradiation. CONCLUSION:CBDCA and VP-16 in combination with radiotherapy should be considered an important treatment option for SCEC.
Authors: A Aupérin; R Arriagada; J P Pignon; C Le Péchoux; A Gregor; R J Stephens; P E Kristjansen; B E Johnson; H Ueoka; H Wagner; J Aisner Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 1999-08-12 Impact factor: 91.245
Authors: C Kollmannsberger; J Beyer; J P Droz; A Harstrick; J T Hartmann; P Biron; A Fléchon; P Schöffski; M Kuczyk; H J Schmoll; L Kanz; C Bokemeyer Journal: J Clin Oncol Date: 1998-10 Impact factor: 44.544
Authors: E Hudson; J Powell; S Mukherjee; T D L Crosby; A E Brewster; T S Maughan; H Bailey; J F Lester Journal: Br J Cancer Date: 2007-02-13 Impact factor: 7.640