Comparison Between Definitive Chemoradiotherapy and Esophagectomy in Patients With Clinical Stage I Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

The overall survival rate of patients with clinical stage I esophageal cancer treated with CRT was comparable to that in those treated with esophagectomy, despite a high local recurrence rate. Locally recurrent carcinoma was endoscopically treatable in most patients, with no effect on overall survival. CRT seems to be a viable alternative to esophagectomy in patients with clinical stage I esophageal cancer.