Evaluation of efficacy of radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy in treatment of carcinoma of the esophagus

Objective To compare the survival rate and short-term results between radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy and radiotherapy alone in treatment of esophageal cancer.Methods From 1999 to 2000,48 esophageal cancer patients were treated with radiotherapy combined with DDP+5-Fu for two cycles (group A)and 44 were treated with radiotherapy alone (group B).Results CR in group A and B showed 77.1%(37/48) and 52.3%(23/44) respectively(P0.05)。The 1-,2-,and 3- year survival rates in group A were 72.3%(35/48), 56.3%(27/48) and 33.3%(16/48),while in group B were 52.3%(23/44),40.9%(18/44) and 29.6%(13/44),respectively.Group A showed higher 1-,2-year survival rates than Group B(P0.05).Conclusion Radiotherapy combined with DDP+5-Fu can raise the 1-,2-year survival rates and local tumor control rate.