[A Case of Unresectable Advanced Esophageal Cancer Treated with Chemoradiotherapy Resulting in Complete Response]

A70s man was admitted to our hospital complaining of chest discomfort. Endoscopic examination showed mucosal erythema and irregularity and an area unstained by iodine in the middle esophagus 21 to 41 cm from the incisors. The biopsy specimen showed moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. An abdominal computed tomographic(CT)scan revealed swelling of the lymph nodes along the celiac artery and abdominal aorta. The patient was diagnosed with unresectable advanced esophageal cancer(cT2N4M0, cStage Ⅳa). Systemic chemotherapy was initiated using a regimen of 5-FU and cisplatin(FP). After 2 courses of chemotherapy, an abdominal CT scan showed reduction of the lymph node swelling along the abdominal aorta, but the lymph node swelling remained along the celiac artery. Therefore, chemoradiotherapy(CRT; FP plus RT 60 Gy/30 Fr at the main tumor and the swelling of lymph nodes along the celiac artery)was administered. An abdominal CT scan showed reduced swelling of the lymph nodes along the abdominal aorta and the celiac artery after CRT. In addition, FP chemotherapy was also administered. APET -CT scan showed no increased FDG up take in the main tumor and swollen lymph nodes after 2 courses of chemotherapy. The complete response(CR)has been maintained for 30 months without therapy.