Patients with resectable esophageal carcinoma who underwent preoperative chemotherapy and obtained a pathologic complete response had a significantly improved long term survival. Major efforts should be undertaken to identify patients before neoadjuvant treatments who are likely to respond.

Induction TPF followed by CT/RT was associated with higher radiologic CR in patients with locally advanced SCCHN with no negative impact on CT/RT feasibility.

NCT01086826, www.clinicaltrials.gov.