Surgical Therapy an Chemoradiotherapy for Postoperative Recurrent Esophageal Cancer

Background/Aims: A retrospective analysis Of therapeutic modalities used in postoperative recurrent esophageal canter. Methodology: Among 43 esophageal cancer patients who underwent esophagectomy between 2003 and 2010, recurrence was found in 15: Best supportive care was given-to two patients and another patient was referred to another hospital. The remaining 12 patients were treated by the following modalities: Surgical resection: 2 cases; chemoradiotherapy: 7 cases; chemotherapy: 2 cases; and radiotherapy: 1 case. The median survival time, 1-year survival rates, and response rates :were examined. Data from 13 esophageal canter patients who underwent chemoradiotheray as an initial therapy in the same period were collected and compared-with recurrent cases treated with chemoradiotherapy. Results: For all 12 patients, the median overall survival time was 19.5 months, and the 1-year survival rate was 83%. Among 7 chemoradiotherapy patients, the response rate was 57%. The median survival time was 23 months, and,the 1-year survival rate was 86%. The response rate of 13 patients receiving chemoradiotherapy as an initial therapy was 69%. The median overall survival time was 12 months and the 1-year survival rate was 54%. Conclusions: Re-operation and chemoradiotherapy for recurrent esophageal cancer might be as effective as the same treatment used initially.