Optimal Timing of Endoscopic Evaluation of the Primary Site of Esophageal Cancer After Chemoradiotherapy or Radiotherapy: A Retrospective Analysis

Abstract

Recommended time of first response evaluation for esophageal cancer following initiation of CRT/RT was found to be between 75 and 90 days. Subsequent evaluation should be carried out approximately one month following non-CR/non-progressive disease declassification.

A multicenter phase II study of salvage photodynamic therapy using talaporfin sodium (ME2906) and a diode laser (PNL6405EPG) for local failure after chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy for esophageal cancer

“…In contrast, the survival of the patients who could not achieve CR was quite dismal, and most died within 1 year [20]. Furthermore, patients who could not achieve CR with CRT developed progressive disease at a median timeframe of approximately 1 month [21], and that might lead to dysphagia due to obstruction with progressive primary disease. Therefore, achieving CR at primary site is clinically important not only for survival but also for patients’ quality of life.…”

Multicenter Phase 2 Study of Cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracil With Concurrent Radiation Therapy as an Organ Preservation Approach in Patients With Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Cervical Esophagus

“…The first evaluation was carried out 28 days after the completion of CRT, and the second after the completion of 4 cycles of CT (21). Endoscopic assessments were repeated every 4 weeks until primary CR or progressive disease was confirmed.…”

Does protruding type 1 esophageal cancer really have a good response to radiation therapy?—a retrospective observational study

“…The single published study on the optimal timing of endoscopic evaluation of esophageal cancer after definitive CRT found that the mean time to CR at the primary site was 97 days after initiation of CRT/RT. In that study, biopsy specimens showed residual viable cancer cells within 75 days of CRT/RT initiation in four patients, these cells not being identified in subsequent biopsies (21). These authors recommended that tumor response should be evaluated endoscopically 75 to 90 days after initiation of CRT/RT.…”