Extended field external radiotherapy plus intracavitary radiation in treating esophageal carcinoma

AIM: To observe the results of extended field external radiotherapy plus intracavitary brachytherapy for esophageal carcinoma. METHODS: From 1995 to the end of 1997, curative effects were compared between two groups: 92 patients with advanced esophageal carcinoma who were treated with extended field external radiotherapy plus intracavitary brachytherapy (study group) and 84 patients who were treated with conventional field external radiotherapy alone (control group). RESULTS: ① The 1,3,5 year survival rates were 78.3%, 36.9% and 22.8% respectively in the study group and 65.4%, 19.0% and 6.9% respectively in the control group ( P 0.05). ② The 1 year local recurrence rates were 10.9% in the study group and 40.5% in the control group ( P 0.05). ③ Although the esophageal perforation rates and the 1 year benign constriction rates seemed higher in the study group than those in the control group, no significant difference was observed. ④ Late course odynophagia was more severe in the study group than that in the control group, but it could be tolerated by most patients. CONCLUSION: Extended field external radiotherapy plus intracavitary brachytherapy is an effective treatment of esophageal carcinoma.