OGC O01 Delayed surgical Intervention after Chemoradiotherapy in Esophageal cancer (DICE) study

Abstract Background Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is a core component of curative treatment for esophageal cancer for locally advanced esophageal cancer. Salvage esophagectomy is undertaken in patients who experience recurrent or residual cancer post-CRT. This study aims determine the impact of delayed surgical intervention following chemoradiotherapy on survival from oesophageal cancer. Methods This was an international, multi-center, retrospective cohort study involving seventeen tertiary international centers, including patients who received CRT followed by surgery between 2010–2020. In the main analysis patients were divided into four groups based upon the interval between chemoradiotherapy and surgery (0–50, 51–100, 101–200 and >200 days) to assess the impact upon 90-day mortality and 5-year overall survival (OS). Multivariable logistic and Cox regression provided hazard rations (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) adjusted for relevant patient, oncological and pathological confounding factors. Results 2,867 patients who underwent oesophagectomy after CRT were included. The mean age of the cohort was 63.2 (9.47) years. 79.7% were male; and 87.2% had an ASA grade ≥2. After adjustment for relevant confounders, prolonged interval following CRT was associated with an increased 90-day mortality; compared to 0–50 (reference), 51–100 days (HR=1.54, 95%CI 1.04–2.29), 101–200 days (HR=2.14, 95%CI 1.37–3.35) and >200 days (HR=3.06, 95%CI 1.64–5.69). Similarly, a poorer 5-year survival was also observed with prolonged interval following CRT compared to 0–50 (reference), 101–200 days (HR=1.41, 95%CI 1.17–1.70) and >200 days (HR=1.64, 95%CI 1.24–2.17). Conclusions Prolonged interval following CRT and esophagectomy is associated with increased 90-day mortality and poorer long-term survival. Patients must be carefully considered and counselled regarding surveillance and salvage esophagectomy following CRT.