Optimal Treatment Strategies for Resectable Locally Advanced Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Real-World Triple Cohort Analysis Using Propensity Score Matching

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to identify the most effective treatment approach and compares the survival rates, along with complications, in patients with locally resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) who were treated with one of the three treatment patterns: neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery (NCT+S), neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery (NCRT+S), or surgery followed by chemoradiotherapy (S+CRT).

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of the medical records of ESCC patients who received one of these treatments between March 2015 and March 2022. This analysis aimed to identify differences in long-term survival, pathological responses, and complications across the three treatment groups. To address potential confounding factors, propensity score matching (PSM) and Cox proportional hazards models were utilized.

Results

This study included a cohort of 715 patients: 197 in the NCT+S group, 188 in the NCRT+S group, and 330 in the S+CRT group, all meeting the selection criteria. After PSM, the median disease-free survival (DFS) time was 38.9 months, 25.6 months, and 15.3 months for NCRT+S, NCT+S, and S+CRT groups, respectively. There were statistically significant differences in the 5-year DFS and 5-year OS among the three groups (P=0.04 and P=0.02, post-matching, respectively). Notably, neoadjuvant therapy showed a correlation with increased postoperative anastomotic leakage rates (17.5% in NCRT+S, 10% in NCT+S, and 5% in S+CRT; P=0.03, post-matching), regardless of the PSM adjustment.

Conclusion

The findings indicate that neoadjuvant therapy before surgery offers a significant survival advantage over postoperative adjuvant therapy for patients with locally advanced resectable ESCC. Despite similar safety profiles, neoadjuvant therapy appears to be associated with a higher incidence of anastomotic leakage after surgery.

Keywords:

• neoadjuvant therapy
• esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
• postoperative adjuvant therapy
• prognosis

Data Sharing Statement

The supporting data for this study can be procured from the corresponding author, provided a reasonable request is made.

Ethical Approval and Consent to Participate

This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University (number: SDTHEC2023004019). As the research was retrospective, there was no requirement for patient consent. We declare that patients’ information will be kept confidential and that we adhere to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.