Search

The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the accuracy of 18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/MR imaging in detection and staging of recurrent or metastatic NPC. The PET/MR scans of 60 patients with clinically diagnosed recurrent or metastatic NPC between April 2017 and November 2019 were included in this study. Findings were evaluated according to the eighth edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system. Final diagnosis was confirmed at biopsy or imaging follow-up for at least 6 months. Of the 60 patients, 25, 26 and 42 had developed local lesions, regional nodal metastases and distant metastases, respectively. The overall accuracy of PET/MR imaging for staging of recurrent or metastatic NPC was 88.3%. For recurrent or metastatic NPC, 18 FDG PET/MRI might serve as a single-step staging modality.

Purpose The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‒determined lymph nodal necrosis (LNN) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and explore the feasibility of an N-classification system based on the 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) system. Materials and methods The MRI scans of 616 patients with newly diagnosed stage T1-4N1-3M0 NPC who were treated with definitive intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) were reviewed. Results Multivariate analysis showed that LNN was an independent negative prognostic predictor of distant metastasis free survival (hazard ratio, 1.634; 95% confidence interval, 1.023 to 2.609; p=0.040) and overall survival (hazard ratio, 2.154; 95% confidence interval, 1.282 to 3.620; p=0.004). Patients of classification N1 disease with LNN were reclassified as classification N2, and classification N2 disease with LNN as classification N3 in the proposed N-classification system. Correlation with death and distant failure was significant, and the total difference between N1 and N3 was wider with the proposed system. Conclusion MRI-determined LNN is an independent negative prognostic factor for NPC. The proposed N classification system is powerfully predictive.

Objective The aim of this pilot study was to explore the integrated positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scanner (PET/MR) for biological characterization of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and potential therapeutic applications of dose painting (DP). Patients and methods Twenty-one NPC patients with PET/MR were included in this study. Overlap of tumor volumes was analyzed on T2-weighted images (volume of interest, VOIT2), diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (VOIDWI) and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (VOIPET). The overlap percentages of low-metabolic sub-region (cluster 1) and high-metabolic sub-region (cluster 2) in VOIPET and VOIDWI were analyzed by cluster analysis. Results Both the VOIDWI and VOIPET were encompassed in the VOIT2, respectively 99.6% and 97.5%. The median tumor overlap was 94.4% (VOIDWI within VOIPET). The median overlap of cluster 2 in VOIPET and VOIDWI was 43.61% (27.67–52.66%) and 21.86%(10.47–40.89%), respectively. The median overlap of cluster 1 in VOIPET and VOIDWI was 48.03% (23.91–63.15%) and 24.40% (7.44–51.44%), respectively. Separation between clusters appeared to be defined by a SUV value. Conclusion For NPC, the VOIs of DWI and FDG PET were not overlapped completely and the volume defined by cluster-analysis might be meaningful for DP.

e18071 Background: Necrotic lesion is a negative prognostic factor for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) while there are few treatment options for it. This study investigated the efficacy and safety of anlotinib (a multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitor) in combination with induction chemotherapy (IC) followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in treatment of liquefactive necrosis of NPC. Methods: This is an open-label, single-arm, phase II trial (NCT05232552). Patients with histologically confirmed stage T3-4N2/T1-4N3M0 NPC (AJCC 8th) who had measurable lesions per RECISTv1.1 and received no previous treatment for cancer were enrolled. Other inclusion criteria included 18-70 years old and ZPS 0-2. All patients received docetaxel (75 mg/m², iv, d1), cisplatin (75 mg/m², iv, d1) and anlotinib (12mg, oral, qd, d1-14) every 3 weeks for 3 cycles before CCRT. Chemoradiotherapy was 2 cycles of cisplatin (100 mg/m², iv, d1) and anlotinib (12mg, oral, qd, d1-14) every 3 weeks, concurrently with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (GTV > 66Gy). The primary endpoint was progression-free survival rate at 3 years. Here we report the results of a preliminary analysis. Results: Between January 2021 and September 2021, 34 patients (28 males and 6 females) were enrolled, and the median age was 54 years old. At the data cutoff date on January 24, 2022, all patients were eligible for the evaluation of tumor response with primary and lymph node lesions. 79.4% of the patients (27 of 34) had a response each for primary and lymph node lesions after IC, while 70.6% (20 of 34) achieved complete response in lymph node lesions compared with 29.4% (10 of 34) in primary lesions. At 6 weeks after CCRT, 100.0% of the patients (34 of 34) had a response in primary lesions and 97.1% (33 of 34) in lymph node lesions. The incidence of liquefactive necrosis was 58.8% (20 of 34) and there were 51 necrotic lesions in all. Among those necrotic lesions, 56.9% (29 of 51) and 80.4% (41 of 51) had complete response after IC and CCRT. The average area shrinkage of necrotic lesion after IC and CCRT was 84.5%±0.25, 97.7%±0.06, respectively. The most common adverse events of grade 3 was leucopenia (17.6%) and mucositis (17.6%), and there was 1 patient (2.9%) occurred neutropenia of grade 4. Conclusions: This preliminary analysis indicated that anlotinib combined with IC and CCRT had promising efficacy and favorable tolerance as treatment of liquefactive necrosis of locoregionally advanced NPC.

Purpose: To explore the efficacy of concomitant chemotherapy in intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) to treat stage II nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods and Materials: In this randomized phase 2 study [registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01187238)], eligible patients with stage II (2010 UICC/AJCC) NPC were randomly assigned to either IMRT alone (RT group) or IMRT combined with concurrent cisplatin (40 mg/m2, weekly) (CCRT group). The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). The second endpoints included local failure-free survival (LFFS), regional failure-free survival (RFFS), disease-free survival (DFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), and acute toxicities. Results: Between May 2010 to July 2012, 84 patients who met the criteria were randomized to the RT group (n = 43) or the CCRT group (n = 41). The median follow-up time was 75 months. The OS, LFFS, RFFS, DFS, and DMFS for the RT group and CCRT group were 100% vs. 94.0% (p = 0.25), 93.0% vs. 89.3% (p = 0.79), 97.7% vs. 95.1% (p = 0.54), 90.4% vs. 86.6% (p = 0.72), and 95.2% vs. 94.5% (p = 0.77), respectively. A total of 14 patients experienced disease failure, 7 patients in each group. The incidence of grade 2 to 4 leukopenia was higher in the CCRT group (p = 0.022). No significant differences in liver, renal, skin, or mucosal toxicity was observed between the two groups. Conclusion: For patients with stage II NPC, concomitant chemotherapy with IMRT did not improve survival or disease control but had a detrimental effect on bone marrow function.

Objectives We investigated the effect of prophylactic oral nutrition supplements (ONS) in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy and concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Methods Eligible patients were randomly assigned to an intervention or control group. Patients in the intervention group were supported with prophylactic ONS from the beginning of CCRT. The control group received nutritional support only when necessary. Bodyweight, hematological indexes, nutritional status, and quality of life were measured at baseline and before, during, and after RT. Results We evaluated 114 patients from October 2016 to May 2018. More than half of patients experienced significant weight loss during CCRT, which continued for three months after radiotherapy (RT). Compared to baseline, the rate of weight loss ≥ 5% before, during, at the end of RT, and one and three months after RT were 3.5%, 28.9%, 51.8%, 61.4%, and 61.4%, respectively. Nutritional status and global health status scores progressively decreased during treatment. The rate of RT interruption was higher in the control group than in the intervention group (7.14% vs. 0%, χ2 = 4.29, P = 0.04). More patients experienced concurrent chemotherapy interruption in the control group than in the intervention group (28.57% vs 10.34%, χ2 = 6.08, P = 0.01). There were no significant differences in weight loss, nutritional status, quality of life, and global health status between two groups. Conclusions Malnutrition and weight loss progressively increased during treatment. Prophylactic ONS can improve tolerance to CCRT, but it offers no advantage on short-term weight loss or nutritional assessment scores.

To evaluate the locoregional extension and patterns of failure for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) with intracranial extension to improve clinical target volume (CTV) delineation.A total of 205 NPC patients with intracranial extension by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were retrospectively reviewed.According to the cumulative incidence rates of tumor invasion, we initially classified anatomic sites surrounding the nasopharynx into three risk grades: high risk (≥35%), medium risk (≥10-35%), and low risk (10%). It was concluded that the anatomic sites at high risk of tumor invasion were the middle/posterior skull base and the anatomic sites adjacent to the nasopharynx. The rate of lymph node (LN) metastasis was 90.2% (185/205). Retropharyngeal region (RP) and level IIb were the most frequently involved regions. Skip metastasis occurred in only 1.6% (3/185). At their last follow-up visit, 53 patients (25.9%) had developed treatment failure. Of the 18 local failures, 12 were considered in-field failure; the other 5 were marginal; one of the patients had outside-field failure. Among the 5 patients with marginal failures, 4 occurred mainly intracranially, and 1 occurred in the floor and the left lateral wall of the nasopharynx. Of the 11 regional failures, 10 were considered in-field failures and most of them (8/10) occurred in the unilateral upper neck.For NPC with intracranial extension, primary disease and regional LN spread follow an orderly pattern and LN skipping was unusual. Clinical target volume reduction may be feasible for selected patients.

Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes and patterns of failure after intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for elderly patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods Fifty-two patients treated with IMRT were eligible for study inclusion. Comorbidity was rated using the Adult Comorbidity Evaluation-27 (ACE-27) system. Results Twenty-six patients (50.0%) had an ACE-27 score of 1; and 6 (11.5%) had an ACE-27 score of 2. Eleven patients had died and 5 (45.5%) of them died of NPC. Two patients had developed local recurrence only, 1 had developed regional recurrence only, and 7 had developed distant metastasis only. The locoregional failure-free survival, distant failure-free survival, cancer-specific survival (CSS), and overall survival (OS) rates at 5 years were 92.6%, 83.7%, 84.9%, and 69.4%, respectively. Conclusion The results of treating elderly patients with NPC by IMRT were excellent. Distant metastasis remains the most difficult treatment challenge for elderly patients with NPC.

Objective To determine whether there was any difference in the clinical and pathologic features, management, and survival outcomes based on tumor site for salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC). Study Design This study is a retrospective chart review of 63 salivary ACC patients. These patients were subclassified into 2 groups, the minor salivary glands group (MiSGG) and the major salivary glands group (MaSGG). Results With a median follow-up time of 69.6 months, the overall 5-year locoregional failure–free survival, distant metastasis–free survival, overall survival (OS), and cancer-specific survival (CSS) rates were 83.1%, 74.9%, 84.7%, and 89.1%, respectively. Compared with MaSGG patients, MiSGG patients were characterized by a trend toward higher T classification ( P = .054). In multivariate analysis, age, T classification, and radiotherapy were independent factors for OS, whereas N classification, margin status, and tumor site (minor or major salivary glands) were observed to be independent prognostic factors for CSS. Conclusions Compared with MaSGG patients, MiSGG patients were characterized by a trend toward higher T classification. Tumor site (minor or major salivary glands) was observed to be an independent prognostic factor for CSS of salivary ACC.

The aim of the present study was to summarize the clinical characteristics of primary breast lymphoma (PBL) and evaluate its management approaches. A total of 29 patients newly diagnosed with PBL, and treated between April 2006 and May 2013, were analyzed retrospectively. The median survival follow-up time for all patients was 66.8 (range, 25.4-110.0) months. The results of the follow-up revealed 22 living lymphoma-free patients and 7 patients who had succumbed to PBL. Of the 7 deceased patients, 6 had succumbed to lymphoma and 1 to chemotherapy-associated hepatic failure. In total, 1 patient who presented with bilateral breast lymphoma developed left breast relapse following lumpectomy and chemotherapy, 2 patients developed a bone marrow relapse, 1 patient developed lung and mediastinal lymph node relapses, and 1 patient developed a skin relapse. The Kaplan-Meier estimator predicted 5-year overall survival and progression-free survival rates for all patients of 74.4 and 74.6%, respectively. PBL appears to be a rare disease with a good overall prognosis and low incidence of local relapse, following chemotherapy alone or in combination with other treatments. Further studies investigating the development of effective agents for use in treatment-resistant patients are required.

Background and objective The aim of this study was to summarize the clinical characteristics and evaluate the management approaches of primary breast diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in the era of rituximab. Patients and methods A total of 24 female patients with newly diagnosed primary breast DLBCL treated between April 2006 and May 2013 were analyzed retrospectively. Ten patients (41.7%) received rituximab. Results For the whole group, the median age was 50 years (range 24-69 years). All patients had the disease detected with a palpable mass. The estimated 5-year overall survival and progression-free survival (PFS) rates of all the patients were 78.9% and 79.2%, respectively. A nonstatistically significant increase in PFS and overall survival was observed when rituximab was administered (5-year PFS: 90% vs 71.4%, P=0.285; 5-year overall survival: 90% vs 71.4%, P=0.239). Conclusion Primary breast DLBCL appears to be a rare disease. Adding rituximab might improve survival in patients with primary breast DLBCL. Further prospective studies are needed to evaluate the role of rituximab for primary breast DLBCL.

Jialin Luo,* Caineng Cao,* Yuan Zhu, Peng Liu, Luying Liu, Ke Lu, Na Zhang, Ning Zhou Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China *These authors contributed equally to this work Background and objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficiency of chemotherapy (CT) combined with high-dose extended-field radiotherapy (RT) in stage I extranodal nasal-type natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (NKTCL). Patients and methods: Between January 2001 and November 2010, 103 stage I extranodal nasal-type NKTCL patients were retrospectively analyzed. Of these patients, 75 patients were treated by RT plus CT and 28 patients were treated by RT alone. CT included cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP), or CHOP-like regimen. Results: The median follow-up time was 42.6 months (range, 7.4–126.7 months). For patients in the RT alone group, the 5-year estimated progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 67.0% and 71.4%, respectively. For patients in the RT + CT group, the 5-year estimated PFS and OS rates were 69.0% and 63.7%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, CT was an independent factor for PFS. Conclusion: The doxorubicin-based CT combined with high-dose extended-field RT yielded promising outcomes for stage I extranodal nasal-type NKTCL, and CT was an independent factor for PFS. Keywords: natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, prognosis

Background The aim of this study is to evaluate the prognostic value of grading MRI–detected skull-base invasion in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) with skull-base invasion after intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). Methods This study is a retrospective chart review of 469 non-metastatic NPC patients with skull-base invasion. Patients were classified as extensive skull-base invasion (ESBI) group and limited skull-base invasion (LSBI) group. Results Multivariate analysis showed that the skull-base invasion (LSBI vs. ESBI) was an independent prognostic predictor of progression free survival (PFS). The estimated 5-year local failure free survival (LFFS), distant metastasis free survival (DMFS), PFS, and overall survival (OS) rates for patients in the T3-LSBI and T3-ESBI group were 92.9% versus 93.5, 89.8% versus 86.1, 81.6% versus 76.4, and 93.5% versus 86.3%, respectively (P > 0.05). Conclusion Grading of MRI-detected skull-base invasion is an independent prognostic factor of NPC with skull-base invasion. It is scientific and reasonable for skull-base invasion as a single entity to be classified as T3 classification.

Background To evaluate the expression of programmed death-1 (PD-1) and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) by using immunohistochemistry analysis in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients receiving cisplatin, fluorouracil, and docetaxel followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Methods As part of a previously reported trial, 108 patients were enrolled in this study. Results We observed that Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) antibody levels were associated with PD-1 positive staining in NPC and PD-1 positive staining was identified as an independent prognostic factor for progression-free survival (hazard ratio 0.363, 95% confidence interval 0.134-0.987, P = .047). By contrast, the correlation between the PD-L1 level and hemoglobin, lactate dehydrogenase and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein was not identified. Moreover, high levels of PD-L1 staining were not significantly associated with clinical outcomes. Conclusion NPC patients with negative PD-1 staining had a significantly reduced survival outcome. Furthermore, patients with positive PD-1 staining had significantly higher EBV antibody levels.

PURPOSE The aim of this study is to evaluate the prognostic significance of paranasal sinus invasion for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and its suitable position in the T classification. Materials and Methods The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of 695 patients with previously untreated, biopsy-proven, non-metastatic NPC that was treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS The incidence of paranasal sinus invasion was 39.4% (274 of 695 patients). Multivariate analysis showed that paranasal sinus invasion was an independent negative prognostic factor for local failure-free survival (LFFS) (p < 0.05). According to the eighth American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system, 275 patients were classified as T3 classification. Of these, 78 patients (28.4%) developed paranasal sinus invasion (T3b) and 197 (71.6%) didn't (T3a). The estimated 5-year LFFS and overall survival (OS) rates for the patients with T3b and T3a classification were 88.6% versus 95.0% (p=0.047), and 84.5% versus 93.3% (p=0.183), respectively. The estimated 5-year LFFS and OS rates for the patientswith T4 classificationwere 89.5% and 83.2%,whichwere similarwith the outcomes of patients with T3b classification. CONCLUSION MRI-determined paranasal sinus invasion is an independent prognostic factor of NPC treated by IMRT. Paranasal sinus invasion is recommended to classify as T4 classification in the 8th AJCC staging system for NPC.

Background and objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of cytomembranic programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and its clinical significance in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Patients and methods Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue biopsies from 85 patients with histological diagnosis of locoregionally advanced NPC treated with radical intensity-modulated radiotherapy and concurrent cisplatin-based chemotherapy were studied. By using immunohistochemistry staining, expressions of cytomembranic PD-L1 on tumor cells were detected. Results After a median follow-up duration of 65.8 months, 7 (8.2%), 5 (5.9%), and 5 (5.9%) patients suffered from local failure, regional failure, and distant metastases, respectively. The 5-year local failure-free survival, regional failure-free survival, distant failure-free survival, and overall survival (OS) rates were 90.9%, 94.8%, 94.0%, and 92.2%, respectively. Our results revealed that a high expression of cytomembranic PD-L1 was correlated with shorter OS (5y-OS: 82.5% vs 97.6%, P=0.022). In the multivariate analysis, only the cytomembranic PD-L1 was an independent prognostic factor for OS (hazard ratio: 6.176, 95% confidence interval, 1.166–32.710, P=0.032). Conclusion Cytomembranic PD-L1 expression levels correlated with OS in locoregionally advanced NPC. Agreement between different methods is needed for further application of PD-L1 biomarker assays in NPC., Video abstract

e17562 Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of concurrent nimotuzumab to intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in elderly patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods: According to the eighth edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system, elderly patients with stage III–IVA NPC were given concurrent nimotuzumab (200 mg/week, starting 1 week before IMRT) with IMRT. They completed a geriatric assessment tool (function, comorbidity, cognition, psychological state, social activity/support, and nutritional status) before initiation of protocol therapy. Results: Thirty patients [median age of 70.5 (65-95) years] with stage III (60%), and IVA (40%) NPC were enrolled between March 2017 and November 2018. The mean scores on the comorbidity scale and instrumental activities of daily living scale were 7 (range, 1 to 12) and 12 (range, 8 to 14), respectively. Grade 3 mucositis occurred in 10 (33%) patients and 1 (3%) patient had grade 3 radiotherapy-related dermatitis. Grade 3 pneumonia occurred in 3 patients (10%) and no patients had nimotuzumab-related acneiform rash. There were 20 complete responses and 10 partial responses 1month after the completion of IMRT. Conclusions: Concurrent administration of nimotuzumab and IMRT is effective and well-tolerated for elderly patients with locoregionally advanced NPC. Clinical trial information: NCT03025958.

We explored the influence of body mass index (BMI) on long-term outcomes in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) who underwent esophagectomy as a primary treatment. BMI is a risk factor for development of esophageal cancer. However, the details of the relationship between BMI and cancer prognosis remains unclear. Patients who underwent esophagectomy as an initial treatment in 2000 to 2009 period were included. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to Asian-specific BMI cut-offs. The associations between BMI and long-term outcomes were explored. This study included 1082 ESCC patients between 2000 and 2009; all the patients underwent esophagectomy. The median overall survival (OS) of the BMI

The aim of this study is to explore how quercetin interacts with pancreatic cancer stem-like cells and the mechanism underlying the effective quercetin-mediated suppression.A model of pancreatic cancer stem-like cells was generated by using a sphere formation culture system. A comparative analysis was performed between the parent cells and pancreatic cancer stem-like cells with a related treatment strategy focusing on cancer stem cell (CSC) properties and drug-resistance-related mechanisms in vitro.Our data show that pancreatic cancer stem-like cells have greater resistance to gemcitabine and stronger CSC properties compared with the parent cells. In contrast to the pancreatic cancer stem-like cells, overexpression of β-catenin was observed in the parent cells. Quercetin suppressed proliferation, invasion and self-renewal capacity, and CSC surface markers expression, with alterations of β-catenin in pancreatic cancer stem-like cells. The combination of quercetin and gemcitabine can reduce tumor growth and decrease drug resistance in pancreatic cancer.β-Catenin plays an important role in maintenance and progression of pancreatic cancer. Targeting β-catenin using quercetin combined with gemcitabine may be a treatment strategy to improve prognosis in patients with pancreatic cancer.

The aim of this study was to report long-term results of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer treated by neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy with fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin. From February 2002 to November 2006, a total of 58 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer were recruited. Secondary endpoints included the cumulative incidence of local and distant recurrences, disease-free survival, and overall survival. The median follow-up time was 138 months (109-151 months). The cumulative incidence of local recurrence at 10 years was 12.1%. The cumulative incidence of distant recurrence at 10 years was 53.4%. The overall survival in the intention-to-treat population was 39.5% at 10 years. Disease-free survival in the intention-to-treat population was 41.8% at 10 years. Univariate analysis revealed that pathologic complete response was associated with local recurrence, distant recurrence, disease-free survival, and overall survival (p < .05). Distant recurrence remains the predominant pattern of failure for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer after preoperative chemoradiotherapy and total mesorectal excision. Pathologic complete response is an independent prognostic factor for locally advanced rectal cancer after preoperative chemoradiotherapy.

The role of contemporary radiotherapy (RT) has not yet been elucidated, mainly because of the low incidence of cervical esophageal cancer. The purpose of this study was to analyze the outcome in patients with cervical esophageal cancer treated with definitive RT.A total of 115 patients with cervical esophageal cancer treated with definitive RT during January 2001 through April 2012 in our center were analyzed. Eighty patients received RT alone and 35 patients received concurrent chemoradiotherapy with cisplatin administered either weekly (30 mg/m2) or every 3 weeks (80 mg/m2).The median follow-up time was 17.1 months. For all patients, the overall 2-year local failure-free survival (LFFS), regional failure-free survival (RFFS), distant failure-free survival (DFFS), and overall survival (OS) rate was 68.3%, 83.3%, 75.7%, and 47.6%, respectively.Definitive RT accomplished a satisfactory local control rate and contributed to organ preservation for patients with cervical esophageal cancer. 2015.