Comparison of involved-field intensity-modulated radiotherapy combined with S-1 vs radiotherapy alone for elderly patients with esophageal cancer

Table 1 Baseline characteristics, n (%)

Variables	Total (n = 34)	CRT (n = 17)	Radiation (n = 17)	P value
Age (yr)				0.275
Median (range)	76.0 (72.0-80.0)	77.0 (75.0-80.0)	75.0 (72.0-80.0)
Age				0.731
≤ 75 yr	16 (47.1)	7 (41.2)	9 (52.9)
> 75 yr	18 (52.9)	10 (58.8)	8 (47.1)
Gende				1.000
Female	5 (14.7)	3 (17.6)	2 (11.8)
Male	29 (85.3)	14 (82.4)	15 (88.2)
Primary tumor location				1.000
Cervical	3 (8.8)	1 (5.9)	2 (11.8)
Distal third	14 (41.2)	7 (41.2)	7 (41.2)
Middle third	11 (32.4)	6 (35.3)	5 (29.4)
Proximal third	6 (17.6)	3 (17.6)	3 (17.6)
cTNM stage				0.282
II	12 (35.3)	4 (23.5)	8 (47.1)
III	22 (64.7)	13 (76.5)	9 (52.9)
Gastric tube insertion				1.000
No	23 (67.6)	11 (64.7)	12 (70.6)
Yes	11 (32.4)	6 (35.3)	5 (29.4)
Follow-up (mo)				0.293
Median (IQR)	24.5 (15.2-32.5)	26.0 (19.0-36.0)

All normally distributed and skewed continuous variables are described as medians with interquartile. For baseline characteristics analysis, the statistical differences among the quartiles of radiation were tested with one-way analysis of variance for continuous variables and via χ² tests for categorical variables. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. CRT: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy; IQR: Interquartile range.

Table 2 Adverse event and short-term efficacy, n (%)

	Total (n = 34)	CRT (n = 17)	Radiation (n = 17)	P value
Fatigue				0.273
0	14 (41.2)	8 (47.1)	6 (35.3)
Grade 1	18 (52.9)	7 (41.2)	11 (64.7)
Grade 2	2 (5.9)	2 (11.8)	0 (0)
Granulocytopenia				0.450
0	15 (44.1)	6 (35.3)	9 (52.9)
Grade 1	16 (47.1)	10 (58.8)	6 (35.3)
Grade 2	3 (8.8)	1 (5.9)	2 (11.8)
Thrombocytopenia				1.000
0	29 (85.3)	14 (82.4)	15 (88.2)
Grade 1	5 (14.7)	3 (17.6)	2 (11.8)
Anemia				0.342
0	10 (29.4)	3 (17.6)	7 (41.2)
Grade 1	17 (50.0)	10 (58.8)	7 (41.2)
Grade 2	7 (20.6)	4 (23.5)	3 (17.6)
Esophagitis				0.865
0	16 (47.1)	9 (52.9)	7 (41.2)
Grade 1	15 (44.1)	7 (41.2)	8 (47.1)
Grade 2	2 (5.9)	1 (5.9)	1 (5.9)
Grade 3	1 (2.9)	0 (0)	1 (5.9)
Gastrointestinal reactions				0.012
0	22 (64.7)	7 (41.2)	15 (88.2)
Grade 1	12 (35.3)	10 (58.8)	2 (11.8)
Radiation pneumonitis				0.653
0	27 (79.4)	13 (76.5)	14 (82.4)
Grade 1	6 (17.6)	4 (23.5)	2 (11.8)
Grade 2	1 (2.9)	0 (0)	1 (5.9)
Dermatitis				0.601
0	30 (88.2)	16 (94.1)	14 (82.4)
Grade 1	4 (11.8)	1 (5.9)	3 (17.6)
Short-term efficacy				0.409
ORR	28 (82.4)	15 (88.2)	13 (76.5)
CR	2 (5.9)	1 (5.9)	1 (5.9)
PR	26 (76.5)	14 (82.4)	12 (70.6)
SD	3 (8.8)	2 (11.8)	1 (5.9)
PD	3 (8.8)	0 (0)	3 (17.6)

For baseline characteristics analysis, the statistical differences among the quartiles of radiation were tested with one-way analysis of variance for continuous variables and via χ² tests for categorical variables. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. CRT: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy; ORR: Objective response rate; CR: Complete response; PR: Partial response; SD: Stable disease; PD: Progressive disease.