Phase II study of mitomycin, ifosfamide and cisplatin in adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus.

We evaluated the effect of brief neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with apparently operable adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus. Two courses of mitomycin (6 mg/m2), ifosfamide (3 g/m2) and cisplatin (50 mg/m2;MIC) were given followed by evaluation of response by barium swallow and computed tomography scan. Of 20 patients, 17 completed both courses and 4 (20%) showed a partial response. Toxicity was generally mild and consisted principally of nausea and vomiting. Altogether, 15 patients were surgically explored; resection was completed in 12 patients, 3 of whom died in hospital (25%). Neoadjuvant therapy with MIC offers no advantage over surgery alone.