Abstract:      Background and purpose: With the increase of aging population, elderly patients (age ≥70 years) with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma occurred more and more. However, few studies have focused on elderly esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients. This study aimed to assess the outcomes and prognostic factors for elderly patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma treated after definitive chemoradiotherapy. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 53 patients (age ≥70 years) with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and treated with definitive radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy from Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center from Mar. 2009 to Dec. 2011. Results: Median age was 74 years. Twenty-nine patients underwent radiotherapy, 24 patients underwent radiochemotherapy. 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5- year survival was 62%, 44%, 33% and 19% respectively. Grade 2 and above acute radiation-induced esophageal toxicity and radiation pneumonitis occur rate was 6% and 9% respectively. No treatment-related deaths occurred and no patients experienced any grade 4 and above toxicities. Multivariate analysis identified treatment modality, tumor site and smoking history as independent prognostic factors for overall survival. Conclusion: Radiotherapy may be an acceptable treatment option for elderly patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. In appropriately selected patients, concurrent chemotherapy could bring a better overall survival.

Key words: Esophageal cancer, Elderly patients, Prognostic Factors, Chemoradiotherapy