A case of recurrent esophageal cancer responding to second-line chemotherapy of TS-1/docetaxel combination

A 70-year-old man suffering from advanced esophageal cancer (Stage II) underwent subtotal esophagectomy in December 2000. He then had postoperative chemotherapy, called low-dose FP, and was followed in an ambulatory setting. In December 2003, he was diagnosed as a recurrence of esophageal cancer with multiple liver metastases and upper mediastinum lymph node, so he was treated by combined chemotherapy consisting of TS-1 and docetaxel as a second-line chemotherapy. After 3 courses of this therapy, CT scan showed that the size of liver and lymph node metastases was reduced and the effect of this therapy was PR. PR continued for about 6 months. This chemotherapy made it possible to treat liver and lymph node metastasis in an ambulatory setting. It is conceivable that this combination chemotherapy might be a promising regimen for a short period.