Patterns of Failure after Radical Surgery among Patients with Thoracic Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Implications for the Clinical Target Volume Design of Postoperative Radiotherapy

Abstract

Locoregional recurrence (especially lymph node recurrence) was the most common and potentially preventable type of initial treatment failure after curative surgery among patients with thoracic esophageal SCC. The proposed PORT CTV covered most LRF sites. The lymphatic drainage regions for PORT are selective, and the supraclavicular and superior mediastinal areas should be considered. However, the value of PORT and the extent of CTV should be investigated in further prospective studies.