Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Versus Surgery Alone for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

A Phase III, Multicenter Randomized Controlled Study of Neo-adjuvant Chemotherapy Paclitaxel + Cisplatin Versus Surgery Alone for Stage IIA-IIIB Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The effect of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy on survival of patients with thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinomas remains the most controversial part of neo-adjuvant therapy for esophageal carcinomas. One of our objectives is to evaluate whether the neo-adjuvant therapy with cisplatin and paclitaxel followed by right thoracic approach esophagectomy with total 2-field lymph node dissection improves the overall survival of thoracic esophageal cancer patients.

The effect of Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy on survival of patients with thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinomas remains the most controversial part of Neo-adjuvant therapy for esophageal carcinomas. Therefore, the optimal management of resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinomas differs widely among different areas based on local randomized controlled trials.

The neo-adjuvant chemotherapy might be a good strategy if sufficient local control is achieved by surgical treatment. This study defined the detail of surgery procedure and the region of lymphadenectomy and adopted cisplatin and paclitaxel as neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimens. We try to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this neo-adjuvant strategy.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Histologic diagnosis of squamous cell thoracic esophageal carcinoma of Stage IIA to IIIB, (7th Union for International Cancer Control, UICC-TNM).
2. Patients must not have received any prior anticancer therapy of esophageal carcinoma.
3. Age ranges from 18 to 75 years.
4. Without operative contraindication.
5. Absolute white blood cells count ≥4.0×109/L, neutrophil ≥1.5×109/L, platelets ≥100.0×109/L, hemoglobin ≥90g/L, and normal functions of liver and kidney, total bilirubin（TBIL）≤1.5N, aspartate aminotransferase (AST)≤2.5N, alanine aminotransferase(ALT)≤2.5N, prothrombin time(PT)≤1.5N, and activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT) is in normal range, endogenous creatinine clearance rate(CRE)≤1.5N.
6. Patients must not have diagnosed with other cancer and must not received any prior anticancer therapy except prostatic cancer with more than 5 years disease-free survival(DFS).
7. expected R0 resection.
8. ECOG 0～2.
9. Signed informed consent document on file. 10.No metastatic lymph node in cervical by color doppler sonography.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Multiple primary cancer.
2. The subject cannot understand and sign the informed consent form(ICF).
3. Patients with concomitant hemorrhagic disease.
4. Any un expected reason for patients can't get operation.
5. Inability to use gastric conduit after esophagectomy because of a prior surgery.
6. Pregnant or breast feeding.
7. Patients are diagnosed or suspected to be allergic to cisplatin or Paclitaxel.