Preoperative Mitomycin, Ifosfamide, and Cisplatin Followed by Esophagectomy in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Esophagus: Pathologic Complete Response Induced by Chemotherapy Leads to Long-Term Survival

Abstract

Purpose: Squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus remains an aggressive disease with a poor prognosis, even after curative-intent surgery. This article analyzes the impact of preoperative chemotherapy with mitomycin, ifosfamide, and cisplatin (MIC) on a cohort of 68 patients. Patients and Methods: From 1988 to 1994, 68 patients with potentially operable squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus were entered onto two phase II trials of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with mitomycin 6 mg/m², ifosfamide 3 g/m², and cisplatin 50 mg/m² and received between two and four cycles of treatment at 3-weekly intervals. Two patients were removed from the analysis when they were found to have malignancy other than squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. Results: Forty (61%) of 66 patients had a radiologic response to chemotherapy (18 complete responses and 22 partial responses), and 52 (79%) of 66 patients went on to have the primary tumor resected. There were nine pathologic complete responders, seven of whom remain fit and well after at least 60 months of follow-up. The overall median survival was 12.4 months (95% confidence interval, 9.6 to 18.8 months). The complete response and node-negative patients survived significantly longer than those in other categories (log-rank χ² = 18.8; P < .001): on average 13 months longer than the node-positive or nonresected category (22.0 v 9.4 months). The toxicity of the regimen was low. Conclusion: MIC is an easily administered, well-tolerated, and efficacious regimen as neoadjuvant therapy for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. These results warrant further investigation.