EN
We evaluated the utility of Dukes' classification as a prognostic indicator in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus treated with a combined-modality therapy (CMT). Experimental procedures: We analyzed a series of 71 patients, who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy (CDDP+5FU) — 50 patients or chemoradiotherapy (CDDP+5FU+radiation dose of 30Gy) — 21 patients, with esophagectomy and two-field extended lymph node dissection. The pathological staging was determined in all the patients according to the TNM and Dukes' classifications. Results: The differences in cumulative survival rates between particular TNM stages were statistically insignificant and in Dukes' classification the difference between pA and pB patients reached statistical significance (p=0.02) but between pB and pC patients it was statistically insignificant. Conclusions: 1. Pathological staging after neoadjuvant treatment in esophageal cancer patients is also a significant prognostic indicator. 2. Dukes' staging classification adopted for esophageal cancer could be more significant prognostic factor than the TNM classification.