Radical chemoradiotherapy for superficial esophageal cancer complicated with liver cirrhosis.

Abstract

Although chemoradiotherapy is an effective treatment for esophageal cancer, its feasibility in esophageal cancer with cirrhosis remains largely unclear. We retrospectively studied 11 patients with superficial esophageal cancer with liver cirrhosis (Child-Pugh score ≤8) who underwent radical chemoradiotherapy from four centers, and the overall survival rate, local control rate and adverse events at 1 and 3 years were explored. The median age of the included patients was 67 years (Inter-Quartile Range 60-75 years). Complete response was observed in most patients (n = 10, 90.9%), and the remaining patient was unevaluable. The 1- and 3-year overall survival and local control rates were 90.9% and 90.9%, and 72.7% and 63.6%, respectively. Hematotoxicity was a common adverse reaction, and seven patients developed radiation esophagitis, with grade 3-4 observed in two cases. All cases of radiation dermatitis (n = 4) and radiation pneumonia (n = 2) were grade 1-2. Gastrointestinal bleeding occurred in two patients, including one with grade 1-2 bleeding, and one died. Radical chemoradiotherapy is a potential treatment option for patients with superficial esophageal cancer complicated with cirrhosis. However, it can increase the risk of bleeding, which warrants prompt recognition and intervention.