Effects of intensity-modulated radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy and prognostic factors in patients with locally advanced oesophageal cancer

Purpose

We explored the efficacy and influencing factors of chemoradiotherapy and radiotherapy alone in patients with locally advanced oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed 226 locally advanced oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients who underwent chemoradiotherapy and radiotherapy alone. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to analyse the impact of relevant factors. The endpoint was overall survival and progression-free survival.

Results

Compared with the radiotherapy group, the chemoradiotherapy group had a significant difference in the overall survival rate and the progression-free survival rate between 3 and 5 years (both p ​< ​0.05). The incidences of radiation pneumonitis and radiation oesophagitis were analysed, and the differences were not significant (all p ​> ​0.05). The incidence of haematological toxicity in the chemoradiotherapy group was significantly higher than that in the radiotherapy group (p ​= ​0.001). There was a significant difference in the incidence of haematological toxicity between the ≤65 and the >65 age groups (p ​< ​0.05). Tumour location, T stage, tumour length, tumour target volume, and short-term curative effect were the main factors affecting the prognosis (all p ​< ​0.05). T stage, gross tumour volume, and short-term curative effect were all independent factors affecting the prognosis (all p ​< ​0.05).

Conclusions

Patients with locally advanced oesophageal cancer who received intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) combined with chemotherapy had significant survival benefits compared with radiotherapy alone. Haematological toxicity was the main adverse reaction. T-stage, gross tumour volume and short-term curative effect were independent factors influencing the prognosis.