This document summarizes the management of carcinoma of the oesophagus. It discusses the AJCC TNM classification and staging for squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. It also describes surgical options like esophagectomy and conservative procedures. Non-surgical treatments including chemotherapy regimens, radiotherapy alone or with chemotherapy are mentioned. Several studies evaluating the role of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and chemotherapy prior to surgery are summarized. Meta-analyses demonstrating improved survival with neoadjuvant therapy are also highlighted.
3. Staging : Squamous cell carcinoma
Group T N M Grade
0 Tis (HGD)
N0
M0
1, X
IA T1 1-2, X
IB T1 3
T2 1-2, X
IIA T2 3
IIB T3
Any
T1-2 N1
IIIA T1-2 N2
T3 N1
T4a N0
IIIB T3 N2
IIIC T4a N1-2
T4b Any
Any N3
IV Any Any M1
Staging : Adenocarcinoma
4. AJCC 8th Edition, TNM 8 Classification
• A tumour the epicenter of
which is within 2 cm of the
oesophagogastric junction
and also extends into the
oesophagus is classified and
staged using the oesophageal
scheme.
• Cancers involving the
oesophagogastric junction
(OGJ) whose epicenter is
within the proximal 2 cm of
the cardia (Siewert types I/II)
are to be staged as oesophageal
• The AJCC also publish
pathological staging for
adenocarcinoma and squamous
cell carcinoma
Pathological Stage (SCC)
Stage 0 Tis N0 M0
Stage IA T1a N0 M0
Stage IB T1b N0 M0
T2 N0 M0
Stage II T3 N0 M0
T1 N1 M0
Stage IIIA T1 N2 M0
T2 N1 M0
Stage IIIB T2 N2 M0
T3 N1, N2 M0
T4a N0, N1 M0
Stage IVA T4a N2 M0
T4b Any N M0
Any T N3 M0
Stage IVB Any T Any N M1
Pathological Stage (Adeno ca)
Stage 0 Tis N0 M0
Stage IA T1a N0 M0
Stage IB T1b N0 M0
Stage IIA T2 N0 M0
Stage IIB T1a,T1b N1 M0
Stage IIIA T1 N2 M0
T2 N1 M0
T3, T4a N0 M0
Stage IIIB T2 N2 M0
T3 N1, N2 M0
T4a N1 M0
Stage IVA T4a N2 M0
T4b Any N M0
Any T N3 M0
Stage IVB Any T Any N M1
•
5. Siewert Classification for GE Junction Adenoca :
• Type I : 5 cm to 1 cm cephalad
to above GE junction
• Type II : 1 cm cephalad to 2 cm
caudad
• Type III : Below 2 cm from GE
junction
Matzinger O, Gerber E, Bernstein Z, et al. EORTC-ROG expert opinion: radiotherapy volume and treatment guidelines for neoadjuvant radiation of adenocarcinomas of
the gastroesophageal junction and the stomach. Radiother Oncol 2009;92:164–175
6. Evolution of treatment
Non surgical treatment
• Radiation therapy alone
• Combined modality therapy(CT+RT)
• Intensification of the radiation dose
Surgical treatment
• Sx alone
• Sx+adjuvant
• Preop CT + Sx
9. • Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR)
• EMR is now considered an essential diagnostic, staging, and therapeutic
option for patients with HGD or superficial disease (T1a).
• Involves either
• (a) a submucosal injection of fluid to lift and separate the lesion from the
underlying muscular layer or
• (b) the use of suction to trap the lesion into a cylinder. This then allows a
full resection and tissue retrieval.
• These results and similar findings in smaller series1 examining EMR confirm
that use of this technique is feasible for the treatment of high-grade dysplasia
and carcinoma limited to the mucosa (T1a) and provides an alternative to
esophagectomy.
1. Nijhawan K et al, Gastrointest Endosc 2000
Conservative procedures
• Criteria for EMR
• Lesions with
• No ulceration
• T1 N0
• No LVI
• <2 cm
• Wd-md
10. Esophagectomy: Broad Principles
• Depends on
• Site of disease
• Extent of disease involvement
• Co-morbid conditions
• Patient preference
• (May depend on) Histology
• Mainstay of treatment for all resectable disease
• T4b disease is non resectable disease.
11. • A 5 cm margin cranio-caudally should be obtained to ensure negative final
microscopic margins.
• Thus not performed for cervical esophagus.
• May be performed for primaries of the upper-third thoracic esophagus depending
on location.
• The stomach is considered by the replacement conduit of choice for the resected
esophagus.
Esophagectomy: Broad Principles
12. • An abdominal and a cervical incision
with blunt mediastinal dissection
through the esophageal hiatus (i.e.
Transhiatal esophagectomy [THE])
• An abdominal and a thoracic incision
(i.e. Transthoracic esophagectomy
[TTE])
Open Esophagectomy
14. Transhiatal Esophagectomy (THE)
• 2 incisions:
• Upper midline
• Left side of neck (6cms)
• Disadvantages of the transhiatal approach
• Poor visualization of upper and middle
thoracic esophageal tumors
• Increased anastomotic leak rate with
subsequent stricture formation
• Possibility of chylothorax, recurrent
laryngeal nerve injury
Transthoracic Esophagectomy(TTE)
• 2 incisions:
• Upper midline
• Right posterolateral (5th or 6th ICS)
• The greatest advantage of the
transthoracic approach is that it provides
direct visualization and exposure of the
intrathoracic esophagus, allowing wider
dissection to achieve adequate margins
around the primary tumor, and more
thorough lymph node dissection.
• Its disadvantages (reasons for the
emergence of transhiatal approach)
• The combined effects of an abdominal
and thoracic incision may compromise
cardiorespiratory function.
• An intrathoracic anastomotic leak can
lead to mediastinitis and sepsis.
• More perioperative pain
• Longer duration of surgery
15. Meta analyses comparing TTE and THE
Rindani et al, Aust N Z J Surg 1999
• Other meta analyses have found similar outcomes with both
procedures while showing variable outcomes in terms of
patient morbidity.
17. Rationale of neo-adjuvant treatment
• Downstage the disease:- Enhances resectability
• Drugs enhances radiosensitivity
• Reduced dissemination of tumor cells during surgery :- Hence reduces distant
metastasis
• Remove microscopic persistent disease
18. RT alone
• No randomized studies comparing surgery alone with radiation alone,
and radiation therapy alone has been usually delivered when lesions
are deemed inoperable because of tumor extent, medical
contraindications, and/or palliative treatment is indicated
19. Pre-op RT - Cochrane Review 2005
• Median follow-up 9 years
• Mostly squamous carcinomas
• Hazard ratio (HR) of 0.89 (95% CI 0.78-1.01)
• Overall reduction in the risk of death of 11%
• Absolute survival benefit of 3% at 2 years and
4% at 5 years. (p-0.06)
20. Post-op RT
• 3 studies
• French
• Hong Kong
• Xiao
• Postoperative radiation therapy may decrease local recurrence,
particularly in the setting of involved margins, although the impact of
this adjuvant treatment on overall survival remains less clear.
21. • Platinum doublet is preferred over single agents
• Cisplatin plus 5-FU are commonly used combinations
Regimens:
• Paclitaxel and carboplatin
• Cisplatin and 5-FU or capecitabine
• Oxaliplatin and 5-FU or capecitabine
• Paclitaxel or docetaxel and cisplatin
• Carboplatin and 5-FU
• Irinotecan and cisplatin
• Oxaliplatin, docetaxel and capecitabine
• Epirubicin, cisplatin and 5-FU (Only for adenocarcinoma)
Chemotherapy agents
22. Pre-op Chemotherapy
• 4 RCTs
Study Authors/
Year
Pts
No
HPE/Site Treatment arms Results
US Intergroup
trial/INT 133
Kelsen et al.
1998
440 53% adenoca
47% SCC
3 5FU/Cis -> Sx ->3
5FU/Cis vs. Sx alone
3 yr OS - 26% vs
23%
MRC MRC 2002 802 66% adenoca
31% scc
2 Cis/5FU -> Sx
vs Sx alone
2 yr OS - 43% vs
34%
5 yr OS - 23% vs
17%
MAGIC Cunningham
2008
503 Lower esophag
GEJ
Stomach
3 ECF -> Sx -> 3ECF
vs Sx alone
5 yr OS - 36% vs
23%
(p-0.009)
PFS – (P – 0.001)
FNCLCC/FFCD Ychou
JCO 2011
224 Lower esophag
GEJ
Stomach
2 Cis/5FU -> Sx ->3
5FU/Cis
vs Sx alone
5 yr OS 38% vs 24%
(p – 0.02)
5 yr DFS 34% vs 19%
(p – 0.003)
23. • N = 503 (Chemotherapy 250, Surgery 253; 26% esophageal tumors)
• Chemotherapy: epirubicin (50 mg) and cisplatin (60 mg/m2) on d1, and a 5FU CI (200 mg/m2/day for 21
days): 3 cycles each pre and post operatively.
• Surgery: 3-6 weeks after NACT/within 6 weeks for controls. ACT was started 6-12 weeks after surgery.
• The primary end point was overall survival.
• ECF-related adverse effects were similar to those previously reported among patients with advanced gastric
cancer. Rates of postoperative complications were similar in both arms (46% and 45% respectively), as was the
postop 1 month mortality. The resected tumors were significantly smaller and less advanced in the
chemotherapy group.
Cunningham et al. N Engl J Med. 2005;355(1):877–89.
MAGIC Trial
24. • At a median follow-up of 4 years, 149 patients in the chemotherapy group and 170 in the
surgery group had died.
• Adjusted HR for death, 0.74; 95% CI 0.59 to 0.93; p = 0.008
• HR for progression 0.66; 95% CI 0.53 to 0.81; p<0.001)
• 5-year survival 36% vs. 23%
• Limitations:
• Only 42% of patients in the test group completed all protocol treatment.
• 5 year survival data with a median survival of 4 years is questionable.
• Conclusion: Perioperative chemotherapy with a regimen of ECF improves OS
and PFS among patients with resectable adenocarcinoma of the stomach, lower
esophagus, or GE junction, as compared with surgery alone.
Cunningham et al. N Engl J Med. 2005;355(1):877–89.
25. AUTHOR MEDIAN
FOLLOW
UP
REGIMEN NO OF
PTS
Ro resection/
Dist Met
PATH CR LOCOREG
FAILURE
3-Yr
Survival
SURVIVAL
DIFF
Urba et al 8.2 5fu+cddp+Vbl+RT+S
S
50
50
90 60%
90 65%
28
-
19%
42%
P=0.02
30
16
p=0.15
Boset et al 4.6 Cddp+RT+S
S
143
138
81
69
26
---
34
36
NS
Walsh et al 1.5 5fu+cddp+RT+S
S
58
58
NR
NR
25 32
6
P=0.01
Burmeister et
al
5.4 5fu+cddp+RT+S
S
128
128
80
59
16
---
35
30
NS
Tepper et al
(CALGB
9781)
6.0 5fu+cddp+RT+S
S
30
26
NR
NR
33 13
15
39
16
P=0.008
Pre op CRT f/b Sx vs Sx alone
26. Cross Trial – Hagen,2012
• Esophagus or esophago-gastric junction
• 368 pts , Median FU -45 mnths
• 5 cycles of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (intravenous
carboplatin [AUC 2 mg/mL per min] and intravenous
paclitaxel [50 mg/m2 of body-surface area]) with
concurrent radiotherapy
• RT - 41·4 Gy, given in 23 fractions of 1·8 Gy
• Median overall survival was 49.4 months in the CRT– Sx
group versus 24.0 months in the Sx group.
• Overall survival was significantly better in the CRT– Sx
group (hazard ratio, 0.657; 95% confidence interval,
0.495 to 0.871; P=0.003).
27. • Long-term results after a minimum follow-up of 5 years
• OS and PFS benefit were confirmed for both histological subtypes
• LC and distant disease control also improved
CRT f/b Sx Sx alone P value
5-yr OS 58% 33% 0.003
5-yr PFS 44% 27% 0.000217
Cross Trial –updated by Shapiro,2015
28. Urschel Meta-analysis - 2002
• 9 RCT
• 1116 patients
• Compared with Sx, NA CTRT
• Improved 3 yr OS
• Reduced LRF
• Higher R0 rates
• pCR in 21% pts
• Survival benefit was most
pronounced when CT+RT
were given concurrently
instead of sequentially
Three-year survival (odds ratio 0.66,
95% confidence interval 0.47
to 0.92; P - 0.016).
Rate of complete resection (odds ratio
0.53, 95% confidence interval
0.33 to 0.84; P - 0.007).
29. • 6 RCTs
• 764 pts
• In resectable oesophageal cancer,
preoperative CRT significantly
improves three year survival
versus surgery alone (NNT=10)
• Reduction in the rate of advanced
oesophageal cancer (stages IIb
and III) was observed in almost
all trials at the time of surgery
(down- staging) (NNT = 5).
Florica Meta-analysis - 2004
OR and CI for the effect of treatment on three year overall mortality
30. Gebski Meta-analysis 2007, Updated by Sjoquist, 2011
• NA CTRT – 10 trials, 1209 pts
• NA Chemo – 8 trials, 1724 pts
• Updated analysis – 4188 pts
• Local operable oesophageal carcinoma
• Neo adjuvant chemo increases
• Absolute 2 yr survival – 7%
• Absolute 5 yr survival – 4%
• Neo adjuvant CRT increases
• Absolute 2 yr survival – 13%
• Absolute 5 yr survival – 6.5%
31.
32. Provides strong evidence for a survival benefit of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy
or chemotherapy over surgery alone in patients with oesophageal carcinoma.
Clear advantage of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy over neoadjuvant
chemotherapy has not been established.
SCC Adenocarcinoma
HR 95% CI P value HR 95% CI P value
CRT 0.80 0.68 – 0.93 0.004 0.75 0.59 – 0.95 0.02
CT 0.92 0.81 – 1.04 0.18 0.83 0.71 – 0.95 0.01
33. Pre op CRT vs Pre op Chemo
• German Trial , JCO Stahl 2009
• IC + Sx vs IC + CRT + Sx
• locally advanced (uT3-4NXM0) adenocarcinoma of the lower esophagus or gastric cardia
• 46 mnths FU, Study closed prematurely
• Preoperative radiation therapy improved 3-year survival rate from 27.7% to 47.4%
34. RT alone vs CRT as Definitive Therapy
• RTOG 85-01
• Herskovic 1992, Al sarraf 1997, Cooper 1999
R
A
N
D
O
M
I
S
E
Wk 1
50Gy/25
fractions
Wk 5 Wk 11
CDDP 75mg/m2 Day 1 and 5-FU
1gm/m2 C.I. day 1- 4
CT+RT
RT
Wk 8
64Gy/32 fractions
35. Comp-
liance
Gr III
toxicity
Gr IV Gr V Local
failure
Dist
failure
Median
and 5yr
survival
CT+RT
(n=61)
54% 44% 20% 3% 43% 22% 12.5 mo,
27%
RT
(n=60)
83% 25% 3% 0 64% 38% 8.9 mo,
0%
P-value Sig Sig Sig Sig Sig Sig
p<0.0001
All patients who received RT alone were dead of disease by 3 years.
Established chemoradiation as the conventional nonsurgical treatment for esophageal cancer
36. RT dose escalation during Definitive CRT
• RTOG 94-05, INT 0123
• Minsky et al , JCO 2002
• CRT 50.4 Gy vs
• CRT 64.8 Gy (Chemo Cis/5FU x 4
cycles)
• The trial was stopped after an
interim analysis. The median
follow-up was 16.4 months for
all patients and 29.5 months for
patients still alive.
37. No significant difference in
survival(p=NS)
MS-18 v/s 13 months
2 yr survival—40% v/s 31%
No significant difference in time to first
failure(52% v/s 56%)
(local /regional failure or locoregional
persistance of cancer)
This trial demonstrated that for patients who receive concurrent chemotherapy with radiation, higher
doses of radiation therapy do not offer a local/regional control or survival advantage.
38. Bedenne FFCD 9102 JCO 2007
• In patients with locally advanced thoracic esophageal cancers, especially SCC,
who respond to chemoradiation, there is no benefit for the addition of surgery after
chemoradiation compared with the continuation of additional chemoradiation
39. Stahl JCO 2005 , 2008
Conclusion
• Adding surgery to chemoradiotherapy improves local
tumor control but does not increase survival of
patients with locally advanced esophageal SCC.
• Tumor response to induction chemotherapy identifies
a favorable prognostic group within these high-risk
patients, regardless of the treatment group.
40.
41. Is Surgery after chemoradiation a must?
• Conclusion
Selective surgery after chemoradiation is an evolving concept; effect on ultimate survival
is unclear and the standard remains Neoadjuvant CRT followed by surgery.
Bedenne et al
JCO 2007
Adding surgery to CRT improves local control but does not
increase survival in locally advanced esophageal SCC.
Stahl et al
JCO 2005
Improvement in local controls, but similar 3 year survivals in
esophageal SCCs.
Berger et al, JCO 2005, Rohatgi et al Cancer 2005:
Patients who achieve a pCR had an improvement in survival compared to those who
do not. Surgical resection may not be necessary and has led to the concept of selective
surgery after preoperative chemoradiation.
43. R0 resection Surveillance
R1 resection
Chemoradiation
(if no neoadjuvant therapy)
Observation till progression
or
Chemotherapy + Radiation
R2 resection
Chemoradiation (if not given before)
or
Palliative Management
• For R0 resections, may consider chemotherapy alone as adjuvant treatment if
Node positive.
Postoperative Management - SCC
NCCN 2016
44. Postoperative Management - Adenocarcinomas
R0 resection
R1 resection
R2 resection
Chemoradiation
or
Palliative Management
N0
N+
Upto T1 Surveillance
> T2
Surveillance
or
Chemotherapy + Radiation
(No neoadjuvant therapy) Chemoradiation
Observation
or
Chemotherapy + Radiation
Observation
or
Chemotherapy + Radiation
NCCN 2016
47. Techniques of radiation therapy
• External beam radiotherapy
• Important considerations for RT
• Nearby vital structures: spinal cord. lungs, heart
• Movement in target tissue and vital structures: lungs, heart
• Variable density of tissues: lungs
• Dose limitations
• Spinal cord Dmax:45 Gy at 1.8 Gy/fx
• Lung: Limit 70% of both lungs <20 Gy
• Heart: Limit 50% of ventricles <25 Gy
48. EBRT
• Patient Positioning:
• Cervical and upper thoracic Esophagus: Supine, arms by the side
• Middle and Lower third:
• Supine with arms above their head if AP – PA portals are being planned
• Prone position may be considered if posterior obliques are being included.
Esophagus is pulled anteriorly and spinal cord can be spared.
• Immobilization:
• Vertebral column should be as parallel to couch as possible.
• Image acquisition: Preferably with iv contrast; oral contrast may also be used for better
visualization of the lumen.
49. • A 3 cm margin proximally and distally would cover microscopic disease in 94% of
all SCCs.
• For GE junction tumors, a 3cm margin proximally and 5cm distally would allow
similar coverage.
• Most contemporary radiation trials used margins of 3 to 5 cm cranially and
caudally on the GTV, along with a 2-2.5cm radial margin.
Gao et al, IJROBP 2007
Treatment Fields
50. Treatment volume
• The radiation field should include
• the primary tumor
• 5-cm cranial
• 5 cm caudal margins
• 2-cm lateral margins.
Lymph nodes
• The primary local/regional lymph nodes should receive the same dose. For
cervical (proximal) primary tumors (defined as at or proximal to the carina)
the treatment volume includes the bilateral supraclavicular nodes
• GE junction (distal) primaries the celiac axis nodes need to be included.
51.
52. EBRT – Cervical Esophagus
• 2 anterior obliques and 1 posterior OR
• 2 posterior obliques and 1 anterior field
• AP – PA followed by opposed oblique pair.
• T-shaped AP-PA Field :
• Superior Border: C7
• Inferior Border: T4 (carina)
• 2 cm lateral margins.
• Supraclavivular nodes irradiated electively; can be boosted by
a separate field if required.
53. EBRT – Middle and Lower Third
• Superior Border: 5 cm proximal to superior extent of disease.
• Inferior Border:
• Middle third - GEJ as visualised by Barium swallow
• Lower third - Coeliac plexus (L1) to be included.
• AP - PA followed by 1 Anterior and 2 Posterior oblique pairs
• 4 Field: AP - PA & opposed laterals – for mid 1/3rd lesions. May
consider prone position.
• AP - PA to deliver 36-44 Gy followed by posterior obliques to reach
the full dose.
Initial phase (39.6-41.4 Gy)
Parallel opposed AP-PA fields
- 5cm prox and distal margins
- 2 cm lateral margins
Off cord Boost: After 40-44Gy
3 field technique -- one direct anterior
and two lateral/ posterior oblique
Advantages
- Homogeneous dose distribution
- Tumor better covered
- Critical organs are out of the field
54.
55. Current approach
• EBRT using 3D-CRT to a total dose of 50.4 Gy (1.8 Gy per daily
fraction) is standard.
• IMRT is often utilized to minimize exposure to adjacent structures.
• Proton beam in combination with chemotherapy is being explored.
• Targeted biologic agents added to standard cytotoxic chemotherapy is
being explored
56. Brachytherapy
• Gaspar, 2000
• RTOG 9207
• The cumulative incidence of fistula was 18%/year and the crude incidence was 14%.
• Esophageal fistulas were treatment-related rather than tumor-related of the six treatment-related
fistulas, three were fatal .
• Occurred in the region of the brachytherapy.
• Five of the six patients developing fistulas received 15 Gy brachytherapy dose. (median-3.9 months)
• The other patient received just one fraction of 5 Gy and developed a fistula within 0.5 months.
57. American Brachytherapy Society Guidelines
• Active length: visible tumor by UGIE + 1 - 2 cm margins both
ways.
• External diameter of applicator must be 6 – 10 mm.
• Dose is prescribed 1 cm from mid source or mid dwell position.
58. Staging
Upto T1a N0
Upto T4N0
or T3N+
Stage IV
Surgcal
candidate?
Surgical
candidate?Yes
Yes
No
1. EMR
2. Esophagectomy
(?MIE ?Open)
3. Ablative procedures
Early
stage?
Palliative management
• Chemotherapy
• Radiotherapy
• Stenting/dilatation
No
Surgery
Yes
CRT
CRT Surgery
Post op
HPE
Adj if locally
advanced
No
RT
59. Summary :-
• Stg I – IIIA resectable medically fit :
• Pre-op CRT (Cis/5FU + 50 Gy) f/b Sx
• Definitive CRT (Definitive mngmt for Cervical Oesophagus)
• Sx alone – preferred for non-cervical T1 N0
• Inoperable I – IIIA :
• Definitive CRT (Cis/5FU + 50 Gy) [RTOG 85-01, INT 0123]
• Stg IV Palliative :
• CRT (Cis/5FU + 50 Gy)
• RT alone
• Stenting for obstruction
60. Site-wise management :
• Cervical Oesophagus SCC :
• Definitive CRT (Cis/5FU + 50 Gy)
• Thoracic Oesophagus SCC/Adenoca:
• Pre op CRT(Cis/5FU + 50 Gy) f/b Sx
• Definitive CRT
• Lower esophagus and GE Junction Adenoca :
• Peri op Chemo with Sx
• Pre op Chemo f/b Sx f/b Post op RT
Pacifico RJ, Want KK. Nonsurgical management of Barrett’s esophagus with high-grade dysplasia. Surg Oncol Clin North Am 2002;11:321–336.
Nijhawan K, Wang KK. Endoscopic mucosal resection for lesions with endoscopic features suggestive of malignancy and high-grade dysplasia within Barrett’s esophagus. Gastrointest Endosc 2000;52:328–332
T4a: Pleura, Pericardium and Diaphragm
Rindani R, Martin CJ, Cox MR. Transhiatal versus Ivor-Lewis oesophagectomy: is there a difference? Aust N Z J Surg 1999;69:187–194
Bedenne L, Michel P, Bouche O, et al. Chemoradiation followed by surgery compared to chemoradiation alone in squamous cancer of the esophagus: FFCD 9102. J Clin Oncol 2007;25:1160–1168.
Stahl M, Stuschke M, Lehmann N, et al. Chemoradiation with and without surgery in patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. J Clin Oncol 2005;23:2310–2317.
Berger AC, Farma J, Scott WJ, et al. Complete response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in esophageal carcinoma is associated with significantly improved survival. J Clin Oncol 2005;23:4330–4337.
Rohatgi R, Swisher SG, Correa AM, et al. Histologic subtypes as determinants of outcome in esophageal carcinoma patients with pathologic complete response after preoperative chemoradiotherapy. Cancer 2005;106:552–558.
Gao XS, Qiao X, Wu F, et al. Pathological analysis of clinical target volume margin for radiotherapy in patients with esophageal and gastroesophageal junction carcinoma. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2007;67:389–396.
For cervical primaries, patients are placed supine. Various field designs are possible and their choice depends on the geometry of the primary tumor in relation to the spinal cord. The ideal design is a three-field technique (two anterior obliques and a posterior). However, since the primary tumor is rarely limited to the midline, the most common approach is anteroposterior (AP)/posteroanterior (PA) to 39.6 to 41.4 Gy (Fig. 36-3) followed by a left or right opposed oblique pair with photons to 50.4 Gy (Fig. 36-4A-C). Since this technique will exclude the ipsilateral supraclavicular fossa, a separate electron field is added (commonly to a depth of 2 to 3 cm depending on the patient's anatomy) thereby bringing the total dose to 50.4 Gy. For cervical primaries, patients are placed supine. Various field designs are possible and their choice depends on the geometry of the primary tumor in relation to the spinal cord. The ideal design is a three-field technique (two anterior obliques and a posterior). However, since the primary tumor is rarely limited to the midline, the most common approach is anteroposterior (AP)/posteroanterior (PA) to 39.6 to 41.4 Gy (Fig. 36-3) followed by a left or right opposed oblique pair with photons to 50.4 Gy (Fig. 36-4A-C). Since this technique will exclude the ipsilateral supraclavicular fossa, a separate electron field is added (commonly to a depth of 2 to 3 cm depending on the patient's anatomy) thereby bringing the total dose to 50.4 Gy.