Concurrent chemoradiotherapy combined with enteral nutrition support: a radical treatment strategy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients with malignant fistulae

Background Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) significantly increases the survival rate of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients with malignant fistulae. Recent clinical evidence has shown the benefits of enteral nutrition for malnourished cancer patients. In this study, we aimed to validate that, with the support of enteral nutrition, ESCC patients who develop malignant fistulae might be able to complete CCRT and achieve long-term survival. Methods We reviewed the medical records of 652 patients with ESCC who received definitive CCRT at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center between January 2010 and December 2012. Treatment outcome and toxicity were retrospectively evaluated in 40 ESCC patients with malignant fistulae. All the 40 patients were treated with CCRT and evaluated by clinical nutritionists using nutrition risk screening (NRS) before, during, and after treatment. Twenty-two patients received a nasogastric tube, and 18 underwent percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy feeding. The median energy intake was 2166 kcal/day. Treatment response was evaluated at 3 months after the completion of CCRT. Results With a median follow-up of 18 months (range, 3–39 months), patients’ 1-year overall survival (OS) rate was 62.5%, and the estimated OS time was 25.5 months. Univariate analysis showed that the NRS score ( P = 0.003), increase in NRS score ( P = 0.024), fistula closure ( P = 0.011), and response to treatment ( P < 0.001) were significantly associated with OS. Multivariate analysis showed that tumor response ( P = 0.044) and increase in NRS score ( P = 0.044) were independent predictors of OS. Grade 3 vomiting was observed in 8 patients (20.0%), grade 3 neutropenia was observed in 11 patients (27.5%), and grade 3 cough was observed in 13 patients (32.5%); 2 patients (5.0%) died of massive bleeding during treatment. Conclusions CCRT combined with enteral nutrition support is effective for ESCC patients with malignant fistulae. Patients have an increased potential to be cured, especially those who experience complete response and have an increase in NRS score. Careful observation and nutrition support are required for patients with advanced T-category ESCC who undergo CCRT.