A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials that compared neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery to surgery alone for resectable esophageal cancer

Background: Esophagectomy is often considered the standard treatment for resectable esophageal cancer but the rate of cure is low. Combining neoadjuvant chemotherapy with surgery has theoretical appeal and some clinical evidence suggests a benefit. We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery with surgery alone for esophageal cancer.