• Gastrointestinal Cancer Disease Site Group. Wong RKS, Malthaner RA, Zuraw L, Rumble RB. Combined modality radiotherapy and chemotherapy in the non-surgical management of localized carcinoma of the esophagus. Toronto (ON): Cancer Care Ontario (CCO); 2005 Feb 10. 21 p. (Practice guideline report; no. 2-12). [49 references]

• Concomitant radiotherapy and chemotherapy is recommended over radiotherapy alone. Based on considerations of the current clinical practice pattern and the currently available research evidence, a cisplatin-based chemotherapy regimen is a reasonable chemotherapy regimen to use when concomitant radiotherapy and chemotherapy is used.
• Patients should be made aware of the increased acute toxicity associated with this approach. The decision to use concomitant radiotherapy and chemotherapy should only be made after careful consideration of the potential risks, benefits, and the patient's general condition.
• Sequential radiotherapy and chemotherapy is not recommended as standard practice.
• Future clinical trials to better define the optimal chemoradiotherapy combination that would improve outcomes while limiting toxicities are strongly encouraged.

None provided

The recommendations are supported by randomized trials and meta-analyses.

• Gastrointestinal Cancer Disease Site Group. Wong RKS, Malthaner RA, Zuraw L, Rumble RB. Combined modality radiotherapy and chemotherapy in the non-surgical management of localized carcinoma of the esophagus. Toronto (ON): Cancer Care Ontario (CCO); 2005 Feb 10. 21 p. (Practice guideline report; no. 2-12). [49 references]

Not applicable: The guideline was not adapted from another source.

2002 Apr 17 (revised 2005 Feb 10)

Program in Evidence-based Care - State/Local Government Agency [Non-U.S.]

The Program in Evidence-based Care (PEBC) is a Province of Ontario initiative sponsored by Cancer Care Ontario and the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

Cancer Care Ontario
Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care

Provincial Gastrointestinal Cancer Disease Site Group

Members of the Gastrointestinal Cancer Disease Site Group (DSG) disclosed potential conflict of interest information.

None available

This NGC summary was completed by ECRI on January 23, 2004. The information was verified by the guideline developer as of February 23, 2004. This NGC summary was updated by ECRI on November 23, 2005. The updated information was verified by the guideline developer on December 13, 2005.