OBJECTIVETo compare the therapeutic effect and adverse effects of two regimens, namely cisplatin and docetaxel (DC) regimen and fluorouracil (PF) regimen, both with concurrent radiotherapy, in the treatment of advanced esophageal squamous cancer.

METHODSForty-eight patients with esophageal squamous cancer were randomly assigned in DC regimen and PF regimen groups. All the patients received conventional radiotherapy at a total dose of 60 Gy (in 30 fractions) for 6 weeks. In DC regimen group, the patients received intravenous infusion of docetaxel (75 mg/m(2)) for 1 h on day 1 and DDP (25 mg/m(2) daily) on days 1-3, with every 28 days as one cycle. PF regimen consisted of cisplatin (25 mg/m(2)) on days 1-3 and continuous intravenous infusion of fluorouracil (500 mg/m(2)) for 5 days, with every 28 days as one cycle. All the patients were suggested to have no less than 2 cycles.

RESULTSThe 3-year median survival time in DC regimen was slightly longer than that in PF regimen group (26 vs 23 months, Χ2=3.4041, P=0.065). The same result was also found in the short-term effect and adverse reactions including ?myelosuppression and gastrointestinal reactions. Only the adverse reaction of radiotherapy-induced esophagitis showed a significant difference between the two groups (P=0.049).

CONCLUSIONDC regimen with synchronous radiotherapy is effective and safe for treating advanced esophageal squamous cancer.