Individual participant data network meta-analysis of neoadjuvant therapy for esophageal or gastroesophageal junction carcinoma

There is no consensus on optimal neoadjuvant treatment for resectable carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus (TE) or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ). An individual participant data network meta-analysis of randomized trials compared survival of TE and GEJ patients after upfront surgery versus neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery versus neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery. Neoadjuvant treatment was associated with better survival compared with upfront surgery. The incremental benefit conferred by addition of radiation to chemotherapy in this context was modest.