[Current status of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for advanced esophageal cancer]

Since reported in the JCOG9907 trial, neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to surgery has become the standard treatment for advanced (Stage II/III) esophageal cancers. However, more powerful neoadjuvant chemotherapy is required for the treatment of locally advanced cases or cases involving multiple lymph node metastases. At our institute, DCF therapy (docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil) is administered selectively for the treatment of patients with far-advanced esophageal cancer. We treated 53 thoracic esophageal cancer patients who underwent surgery following neoadjuvant chemotherapy between January 2010 and December 2012. FP therapy (cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil) was administered to 43 patients, and DCF therapy to 7 patients who had far-advanced esophageal cancer. All patients treated with DCF therapy experienced grade 3 and 4 adverse events. With the exception of 1 patient, all patients who received DCF therapy could undergo curative surgery. DCF therapy could become an effective preoperative chemotherapy.