Survival outcomes of patients with cervical esophageal cancer who received definitive radiotherapy: a retrospective study conducted in a single institution*

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveCervical esophageal cancer (CEC) is a relatively rare condition, with limited treatment options. The current study aimed to assess the survival outcomes of patients with CEC who received definitive radiotherapy.MethodsIn total, 63 consecutive patients with CEC who received definitive radiotherapy between 2010 and 2018 were included in this study. The survival outcomes were analyzed based on statistics.ResultsThe median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of the patients were 12 and 19 months, respectively. There were no significant differences in terms of survival outcomes between the groups who received radiation doses ≥ 60 and < 60 Gy. Interestingly, in the proximal CEC subgroup, the PFS (P= 0.039), OS (P= 0.031), and loco-regional failure-free survival (LRFFS) (P= 0.005) improved significantly in patients who received a radiation dose ≥ 60 Gy compared with those who received a radiation dose < 60 Gy. However, in the distal CEC subgroup, the PFS, OS, and LRFFS did not significantly improve between patients who received radiation doses ≥ 60 and < 60 Gy. Definitive radiotherapy was well tolerated, and no significant differences were observed in terms of treatment-related toxicities between the groups who received radiation doses ≥ 60 and < 60 Gy.ConclusionThe survival outcomes of patients with CEC should be improved. In proximal CEC, a radiation dose ≥ 60 Gy is significantly correlated with better PFS, OS, and LRFFS. However, further research must be performed to validate this finding.