Underutilization of the CROSS Regimen Among US Radiation Oncologists: A National Survey of Practice Patterns

To examine patterns of clinical practice in locally advanced esophageal cancer among US radiation oncologists after publication of the CROSS trial.

US radiation oncologists were surveyed on 13 questions pertaining to the management of esophageal cancer. Respondents' demographics and their clinical rationale were analyzed for statistical association with their treatment recommendations.

Few respondents (15%) offered the CROSS regimen to patients considered suitable surgical candidates, while a near-equivalent number (16%) prescribed between 41.4 and 50.4 Gy contingent upon radiation planning parameters. Among respondents who prescribed 50.4 Gy, 50% and 17% reported concurrent administration of carboplatin/paclitaxel and cisplatin/5-FU, respectively. Higher radiation doses, over 50.4 Gy, were utilized by 15% and 38% of respondents for borderline surgical candidates and candidates unfit for surgery, respectively. The majority of respondents believed that higher complete pathological response and R0 resection would be achieved, as well as higher toxicity conferred using 50.4 Gy instead of 41.4 Gy. A clinical trial comparing 41.4 Gy to 50.4 Gy with concurrent carboplatin/paclitaxel was supported by 76% of respondents.

Despite results from the CROSS trial, the majority of responding US radiation oncologists do not offer 41.4 Gy with concurrent chemotherapy for surgically-fit patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer, believing that a higher dose will translate to improved response.