Reevaluation of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials Over the Past 20 Years.

ABSTRACT: The effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on the survival of patients with thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs) remains controversial. The optimal management strategy for resectable ESCCs varies regionally based on local randomized controlled trials. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to re-evaluate this controversial issue.A systematic review of the Medline, Embase, and PubMed databases was carried out on data collected between August 1994 and August 2014 to evaluate the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Only randomized controlled trials comparing the effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with that of surgery and surgery plus adjuvant chemotherapy were selected.Six studies with a total of 1202 patients were identified, consisting of a neoadjuvant chemotherapy a

SUBMITTER: Zheng Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4504630 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature