Patterns of Treatment and Outcome in Patients with Unresectable or Inoperable Esophageal Cancer: A Real-World Data

Abstract

Background: Esophageal cancer is the eighth most common cancer in the world with high morality. Our study provides real world data on patterns of treatment and outcome in patients with unresectable or inoperable esophageal cancer. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of all consecutive esophageal cancer patients treated with radical radiotherapy at a tertiary cancer center from January 2016 to December 2017. Data regarding patients’ age, histology, location, pre-treatment imaging, disease stage, treatment details, compliance and response to treatment and status at last follow-up were retrieved from their file. Continuous and categorical variables were summarized by descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 100 patients, mean age of 60.24 years, were included in the study. 60% of the patients were male and upper one-third was the most common site involved. Squamous cell carcinoma was reported in 83% of the patients. About 70% of the patients had a T3/T4 disease, 44% also had nodal metastasis. Radiation dose ranged from 45Gy – 63Gy. 15% and 54% of the patients received neoadjuvant and concurrent chemotherapy respectively. With a median follow-up of 7 months (range 3-58 months), 80% of the patients were alive with 32.22% having no evidence of disease. Univariate analyses showed no significant predictor of loco-regional control. Distant metastases and loco regional failure were seen in 32.22% and 28% of the patients respectively. Conclusion: Our study showed that esophageal cancer is more common in elderly males. Both distant metastases and loco regional failure continues to be a matter of concern.