Background/aim: This study aimed to compare the efficacy and tolerability of pre-operative platinum/5-fluorouracil (P5F) and carboplatin/paclitaxel (CP), in combination with radiation therapy in older adults with locally advanced, stage I-III esophageal cancer.
Patients and methods: We retrospectively reviewed 51 patients aged ≥70 years who underwent chemoradiotherapy followed by esophagectomy for stage I-III esophageal cancer between 2008 and 2018. Pathological complete response (pCR) and survival rates were compared across the two chemotherapy regimen arms.
Results: Treatment completion (p=0.28), pCR (p=0.89), and partial response rates were similar across both chemotherapy groups. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were similar across both groups with HR=0.80 (p=0.62) and HR=0.72 (p=0.72) respectively.
Conclusion: The lesser toxic CP regimen may be used in older patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer, with tumor response and survival rates similar to P5F chemotherapy.
Keywords: Esophageal cancer; carboplatin/paclitaxel; geriatric oncology; platinum/5-fluouracil; trimodality therapy.
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