Combination chemotherapy of esophageal carcinoma using cisplatin, vindesine, and bleomycin

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Abstract
Sixty‐one patients with epidermoid carcinoma of the esophagus have been treated with a three drug combination of cisplatin, vindesine, and bleomycin. Of 53 patients currently evaluable for response, 29 (55%) have had partial remissions: 7/16 with metastatic, and 22/37 with local‐regional disease. The median duration of response in metastatic patients is eight months. Of 28 patients treated preoperatively, 23 (82%) had resectable disease. The major toxicities seen were nephrotoxicity and myelosupression. Cisplatin, vindesine and bleomycin is an effective combination in the treatment of esophageal carcinoma. Effects on long‐term survival cannot yet be evaluated.