Downstaging of T or N Predicts Long-Term Survival After Preoperative Chemotherapy and Radical Resection for Esophageal Carcinoma

Patients who experience downstaging of T or N after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radical surgical resection for esophageal carcinoma have a significantly higher survival rate compared with those who do not experience downstaging. This enhanced survival is comparable to survival rates reported in complete pathologic responders after neoadjuvant chemoradiation.