VP-16/DDP Combination as A First-line Regimen for Esophageal Small Cell Carcinoma

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficiency and safety of combination therapy with VP-16 and Cisplatin in esophageal small cell carcinoma. Methods Seven of the sixteen patients were staged limited (LD) disease,the other nine patients were staged extend disease (ED).All the patients received etoposide 100 mg/m2 2 h infusion from d1 to d3 combined with Cisplatin 80 mg/m2 2 h infusion on d1,and the regimen was repeated every three weeks.Concurrently,the patients with limited disease received radiation therapy: 50 Gy,in daily doses of 2 Gy,5 d/w. Results In LD group,there was 1 patient experienced CR,4 patients PR (57.1%),and the ORR was 71%(CR+PR).The TTP was 19 months,and OS was 24.7 months.While in ED group, no patient was CR,5 patients PR (56%),and the ORR was 56%.The TTP was 8.2 months,and OS was 12.5 months.Both in LD group and ED group there were grade 3~4hematological toxicity: loucopenia(43% vs. 33%).No hematological toxicity consisted mainly of grade 1~2 nausea/vomiting（72% vs. 44%）.Furthermore,no treatment-related deaths were observed. Conclusion The combination of VP-16 and DDP appears to be effective therapy for esophageal small cell carcinoma with acceptable toxicity.