Preoperative chemotherapy compared with postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the thoracic oesophagus with the detection of circulating tumour cells randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Preoperative chemotherapy improved the short-term PFS when CTC detection was positive prior to any treatment for patients with stage II or III ESCC. CTC detection may be used as an index to guide individualized strategic decisions regarding preoperative chemotherapy, but more evidence is needed.