Intermediate‐dose methotrexate and cisplatin in the treatment of advanced epidermoid esophageal carcinoma. Response rate and disease‐free survival

Seventeen patients with inoperable locoregional disease (epidermoid carcinoma of the esophagus) were treated only with two courses of intermediate‐dose methotrexate (200 mg/m2 on day 1) and cisplatin (20 mg/m2/d for 5 days). According to the response criteria, 14 (82.4%) achieved a good response (GR) and 3 (17.6%) showed no response (NR). The median recurrence‐free survival time was 5 months (range, 2 to 16 months) in seven patients with regular follow‐up. Three patients are still alive and disease‐free at 37+, 44+, and 51+ months. No patient received radiotherapy or surgery after chemotherapy until recurrence. This combination schedule appears to be effective in advanced esophageal carcinoma.