Preoperative chemotherapy in esophageal cancer. A phase II study

Forty-two patients with localized squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus were treated according to a phase II study with cisplatin, vindesine and bleomycin (modified Kelsen schedule) prior to surgery. In 17 of these patients partial remission was achieved and in two cases complete remission. Of the 40 patients who were candidates for surgery, 4 were inoperable. In 22 cases the tumor was removed in a potentially curative manner and in 14 patients a palliative resection was performed. There were 4 post-operative deaths among 36 resected patients. Anastomic leakage occurred in 5 and severe cardiopulmonary complications in 4 patients. The side effects of the preoperative treatment were acceptable. A high resectability rate and a comparatively high survival rate in patients who responded to chemotherapy suggest that the preoperative treatment employed might be of value.