Abstract
Aim: Objective of this study was to evaluate the hemoglobin level (Hb) as potential prognostic factor in uniformly staged patients (pts) undergoing primary chemoradiotherapy (ChRT) for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the esophagus. Patients and Methods: Pts with histologically proven SCC of the esophagus (uT3/4 Nx or uTx N+) were included in the analysis. Staging procedures comprised endoscopic ultrasound, barium swallow and computed tomography. All pts received radiotherapy (≧40 Gy) and ≧2 courses of fluorouracil / folinic acid, and cisplatin (5 days/month). In selected pts surgical resection after neoadjuvant ChRT was carried out. Clinical parameters, especially Hb were retrospectively evaluated for their impact on survival. Results: 46 pts were treated between 1996 and 2001. Median survival was 16 months. Survival for pts treated with definitive ChRT (n = 28) was 14 months, whereas pts treated surgically after neoadjuvant ChRT (n = 18) survived 19 months (p = 0.79). Pts with low Hb levels at baseline did not show a worse outcome in comparison with pts with normal Hb levels (16 months), whereas a significant decrease in Hb level within the time period of ChRT was associated with a significantly inferior outcome (11 vs. 31 months; p = 0.046). Pts requiring blood transfusion tended to have inferior survival (11 vs. 24 months; p = 0.07). Conclusion: In this retrospective analysis a significant decrease of Hb level during ChRT was identified as prognostic factor for pts undergoing ChRT of SCC of the esophagus.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
