[Long-Term Complete Response in Postoperative Multiple Lung and Mediastinal Lymph Node Metastases of Esophageal...

A 59-year-old man was diagnosed with advanced thoracic esophageal cancer.He underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy with cisplatin(CDDP), 5-fluorouracil(5-FU)(CF)followed by transthoracic esophagectomy with three-field lymphadenectomy. Histopathological examination revealed that the tumor was poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma invading the adventitia with 6 regional lymph node metastases.Four months after surgery, follow-up thoracic computed tomography (CT)showed multiple lung and mediastinal lymph node metastases.The patient's general condition was favorable, and he underwent systemic chemotherapy with docetaxel, CDDP, 5-FU(DCF).After 2 courses of DCF, chest CT revealed that the lung and mediastinal lymph node metastases had markedly decreased in size to the point of being unmeasurable.After receiving additional chemotherapy consisting of 2 courses of DCF and 8 courses of monthly docetaxel, the patient has been followed up without treatment.No tumor re-recurrence has occurred in the 6 years and 8 months since the first recurrence.In cases of recurrent or unresectable esophageal cancer, the rate of clinical response is reported to be higher for DCF than for CF. DCF is a tolerable regimen, even for postoperative patients, provided that monitoring is conducted for severe adverse events. In patients whose general conditions are favorable, DCF should be considered as a treatment option for recurrent esophageal cancer.