Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging For Predicting Pathologic Response To Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy In Esophageal Squamous Cell Cancer.

e15510Background: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy(nCRT) followed by surgery has became the standard treatment for patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer. However, cumulating data showed that only patients who had a pathologic response to neoadjuvant treatment could benefit from the nCRT and surgery. Moreover, for patients with no pathologic response, nCRT even worsen the survival compared with surgery alone. Therefore, accurately differentiating the two groups was contributed to personalize treatment for esophageal cancer. Our study aimed to explore the potential value of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI-MRI) for the prediction of pathologic response to nCRT in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Methods: Nineteen patients underwent DWI-MRI within one week before and after nCRT. Tumor regression score (TRG) was assessed by two experienced pathologists after esophagetcomy. The average tumor apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of tumor was calculated before and after neoadjuvant t...