Pre-operative Carboplatin/Paclitaxel Versus 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)-based Chemoradiotherapy for Older Adults With Esophageal Cancer

Background/Aim: This study aimed to compare the efficacy and tolerability of pre-operative platinum/5fluorouracil (P5F) and carboplatin/paclitaxel (CP), in combination with radiation therapy in older adults with locally advanced, stage I-III esophageal cancer. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 51 patients aged >= 70 years who underwent chemoradiotherapy followed by esophagectomy for stage I-III esophageal cancer between 2008 and 2018. Pathological complete response (pCR) and survival rates were compared across the two chemotherapy (p=0.89), and partial response rates were similar across both chemotherapy groups. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were similar across both groups with HR=0.80 (p=0.62) and HR=0.72 (p=0.72) respectively. Conclusion: The lesser toxic CP regimen may be used in older patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer, with tumor response and survival rates similar to P5F chemotherapy.

Automated summary

This study compared the efficacy and tolerability of two chemotherapy regimens in older patients with advanced esophageal cancer. The results showed that the less toxic CP regimen can achieve similar tumor response and survival rates as the P5F chemotherapy in older patients.