Localized squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus: Bimodality or trimodality approach?

In this article, we summarize Lorenze's study and briefly describe some of the landmark studies in preoperative chemoradiation in both squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. Incorporation of oxaliplatin into the neocidjuvant regimen has been reported by several groups. The results of histological response varied from study to study. Lorenzen and colleagues reported a reasonably high histological response rate with very manageable toxicities in squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. However, as we know, squamous cell carcinoma is generally more responsive to chemoradiation. Future studies may be warranted to assess the efficacy of this regimen in a larger cohort. Nonetheless, in the era of targeted therapy, addition of targeted agents to future preoperative chemoradiation regimens should be considered. At present time, the result of RTOP Phase III study integrating cetuximab in the preoperative regimen is awaited.