Exploring strategies to reduce toxicity in the multimodal treatment of esophageal cancer

Preoperative chemoradiotherapy (preCRT) followed by surgery is now considered standard of care in the treatment of locally advanced esophageal cancer (EC).

However the current treatment paradigm is far from optimal as it is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Especially pulmonary, cardiac and gastro-intestinal complications are of great concern and exert a long-lasting negative influence on health related quality of life (HRQOL). The Impact of the neoadjuvant preCRT treatment on postoperative morbidity, mortality and HRQOL is currently unknown.

With this project we aim to develop and validate a predictive model for treatment related toxicity and mortality. Using this model we will investigate the potential of intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) in reducing treatment related toxicity and assess the potential benefit of such an apporach.