Chemotherapy alone versus definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy for cT4b esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a population-based study
- Resource Type
- article
- Authors
- Chia-Chin Li; Chih-Yi Chen; Ying-Hsiang Chou; Chih-Jen Huang; Hsiu-Ying Ku; Chun-Ru Chien
- Source
- BMC Gastroenterology, Vol 21, Iss 1, Pp 1-8 (2021)
- Subject
- Chemotherapy
Definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Diseases of the digestive system. Gastroenterology
RC799-869
- Language
- English
- ISSN
- 1471-230X
Abstract Background The role of radiotherapy for cT4bNanyM0 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESqCC) is relatively unclear, with both chemotherapy (C/T) alone and definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy (dCCRT) being treatment options in the current guidelines. We aimed to compare the survival of dCCRT versus C/T for these patients via a population-based approach. Methods Eligible cT4b ESqCC patients diagnosed between 2011 and 2017 were identified via the Taiwan Cancer Registry. We used propensity score (PS) weighting to balance the observable potential confounders between groups. The hazard ratio (HR) of death and incidence of esophageal cancer mortality (IECM) were compared between dCCRT and C/T. We also evaluated OS in subgroups of either low or standard radiotherapy doses. Results Our primary analysis consisted of 247 patients in whom covariates were well balanced after PS weighing. The HR for death when dCCRT was compared with C/T was 0.36 (95% confidence interval 0.24–0.53, P