Oxford experience with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgical resection for esophageal adenocarcinomas and squamous cell tumors

The Medical Research Council trial for oesophageal cancer (OEO2) trial demonstrated a clear survival benefit from neoadjuvant chemotherapy in resectable esophageal carcinoma. Since February 2000 it has been our practice to offer this chemotherapy regime to patients with T2 and T3 or T1N1 tumors. We analyzed prospectively collected data of patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to esophageal resection under the care of a single surgeon. Complications of treatment and overall outcomes were evaluated. A total of 194 patients had cisplatin and 5‐fluorouracil prior to esophageal resection. Six patients (5.7%) had progressive disease and were inoperable (discovered in four at surgery). During chemotherapy one patient died and one perforated (operated immediately). Complications including severe neutropenia, coronary artery spasm, renal impairment and pulmonary edema led to the premature cessation of chemotherapy in 12 patients (6.2%). A total of 182 patients with a median age of 63 (range 30–80), 41 squamous and 141 adenocarcinomas underwent surgery. Operations were 91 left thoracoabdominal (50%), 45 radical transhiatal (25%), 40 Ivor‐Lewis (22%) and six stage three (3%), and 78.6% had microscopically complete (R0) resections. Median survival was 28 months with 77.3% surviving for 1 year and 57.7% for 2 year. In hospital mortality was 5.5% and anastomotic leak rate 7.7%. A radical surgical approach to the primary tumor in combination with OEO2 neoadjuvant chemotherapy has led to a high R0 resection rate and good survival with acceptable morbidity and mortality.