To evaluate the effect of three dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) and chemotherapy for esophageal carcinoma

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy and toxicities of concurrent three dimensional conformal radiotherapy(3DCRT) chemotherapy for esophageal carcinoma.Methods:Ninety patients with esophageal cancer were divided randomly into two groups,46 patients in the concurrent 3DCRT-chemotherapy group,while 44 patients in the only 3DCRT group.For both groups,the same 3DCRT technic was carried out by conventional fractionation,to a total dose of 60-65Gy/30-33f,during 6.0-6.5 weeks.Results:The response rate and complete response in the concurrent 3DCRT-chemotherapy group were significantly higher than those in only 3DCRT group(P0.05).The 1-,2-and 3-year local control rate in the concurrent 3DCRT-chemotherapy was 88.9%,78.8% and 74.8%,while in only 3DCRT group,it was 78.9%,60.8% and 50% respectively;The 1-,2-and 3-year survive rate in concurrent 3DCRT-chemotherapy group was79.8%,68.7% and 50.1%,while it was 69.2%,50.3% and 38.0% in contral group.The acute toxic effect was severer in concurrent 3DCRT-chemotherapy group than in only 3DCRT group.Conclusion:Concurrent 3DCRT-chemotherapy,being able to improve the complete response rate and the survival rate of esophageal cancer,but it can also increase the acute toxic effect.