Concurrent paclitaxel and radiotherapy for patients with advanced esophageal cancer

Objective: To study the effect of radiotherapy combined with paclitaxel on esophageal cancer.Methods: 67 cases of esophageal cancer were divided into conventional radiotherapy to a total of 65-70 Gy;combined group with received the same radiotherapy as simple irradiation group plus chemotherapy with weekly paclitaxel.Both groups were followed for 2 years.Results: The short-term results of radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy was better than that of radiotherapy alone.The difference between these two groups was statistically(P0.05).The one and two year survival rate were 75.8%、57.6% in combined.survival rate were 51.5%、33.3% in simple irradiation group.The survival rates in the combined group were thus much better than those in simple irradiation group(P0.05).Conclusion Radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy for advanced esophageal cancer is effective and merits further study in the clinic.