Kentaro Murakami1, Naoya Yoshida2, Yusuke Taniyama3, Kozue Takahashi3, Takeshi Toyozumi4, Takashi Uno5, Takashi Kamei3, Hideo Baba2, Hisahiro Matsubara4. 1. Department of Frontier Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan. murakami2621@chiba-u.jp. 2. Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan. 3. Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan. 4. Department of Frontier Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan. 5. Diagnostic Radiology and Radiation Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by esophagectomy can improve the prognosis of locally advanced esophageal cancer (LAEC). However, LAEC reportedly recurred in 17-21% of patients within 6 months post surgery. Thus, current treatment strategies may be inadequate for LAECs with poor prognosis. Preoperative identification of patients with poor prognosis might aid in modification of treatment strategies. This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of the maximum standardized uptake value change rate (ΔSUVmax) in predicting treatment effects on the primary lesion, prognosis, and LAEC recurrence. METHODS: This study involved 220 esophageal cancer patients who underwent esophagectomy after NAC at three facilities in Japan. The optimal cut-off point for ΔSUVmax in predicting tumor regression grade (TRG) was calculated and used to assess the correlation between ΔSUVmax and postoperative survival. RESULTS: The optimal cut-off point for ΔSUVmax was 0.5. The 5-year overall survival rate in patients with ΔSUVmax ≥ 0.5 was significantly higher than that in patients with ΔSUVmax < 0.5 (71.5% vs. 50.5%, P = 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified ΔSUVmax (hazards ratio, 0.496; P = 0.004) as an independent prognostic factor. Among 199 patients evaluated for recurrence, 24 (12.1%) showed recurrence within 6 months post surgery. Univariate analysis revealed ΔSUVmax as the only predictor for early recurrence (odds ratio, 0.222; P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: ΔSUVmax before and after NAC is clinically useful as it could help predict TRG, survival outcome, and early recurrence within 6 months post esophagectomy and is easily obtainable in general clinical practice. We believe that it may also help determine suitable treatment strategies for LAEC.
BACKGROUND: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by esophagectomy can improve the prognosis of locally advanced esophageal cancer (LAEC). However, LAEC reportedly recurred in 17-21% of patients within 6 months post surgery. Thus, current treatment strategies may be inadequate for LAECs with poor prognosis. Preoperative identification of patients with poor prognosis might aid in modification of treatment strategies. This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of the maximum standardized uptake value change rate (ΔSUVmax) in predicting treatment effects on the primary lesion, prognosis, and LAEC recurrence. METHODS: This study involved 220 esophageal cancer patients who underwent esophagectomy after NAC at three facilities in Japan. The optimal cut-off point for ΔSUVmax in predicting tumor regression grade (TRG) was calculated and used to assess the correlation between ΔSUVmax and postoperative survival. RESULTS: The optimal cut-off point for ΔSUVmax was 0.5. The 5-year overall survival rate in patients with ΔSUVmax ≥ 0.5 was significantly higher than that in patients with ΔSUVmax < 0.5 (71.5% vs. 50.5%, P = 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified ΔSUVmax (hazards ratio, 0.496; P = 0.004) as an independent prognostic factor. Among 199 patients evaluated for recurrence, 24 (12.1%) showed recurrence within 6 months post surgery. Univariate analysis revealed ΔSUVmax as the only predictor for early recurrence (odds ratio, 0.222; P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: ΔSUVmax before and after NAC is clinically useful as it could help predict TRG, survival outcome, and early recurrence within 6 months post esophagectomy and is easily obtainable in general clinical practice. We believe that it may also help determine suitable treatment strategies for LAEC.