PHASE-II STUDY OF MITOMYCIN, IFOSFAMIDE AND CISPLATIN IN ADENOCARCINOMA OF THE ESOPHAGUS

We evaluated the effect of brief neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with apparently operable adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus. Two courses of mitomycin (6 mg/m(2)), ifosfamide (3 g/m(2)) and cisplatin (50 mg/ m(2); MIC) were given followed by evaluation of response by barium swa llow and computed tomography scan. Of 20 patients, 17 completed both c ourses and 4 (20%) showed a partial response. Toxicity was generally m ild and consisted principally of nausea and vomiting. Altogether, 15 p atients were surgically explored; resection was completed in 12 patien ts, 3 of whom died in hospital (25%), Neoadjuvant therapy with MIC off ers no advantage over surgery alone.