3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy combined with concurrent chemotherapy for esophageal cancer

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy(3DCRT) combined with concurrent chemotherapy in management of esophageal carcinoma.Methods:From Feb.2006 to Aug.2007,31 patients with esophageal carcinoma were treated by 3DCRT at a dose of 1.8-2 Gy/f(55-65 Gy in total);at the same time,cisplatin 30 mg/m2 was administered intravenously on the first day of each week until the end of the radiotherapy.After the therapy,chemotherapy regimen of cisplatin 20 mg plus tegafur 1.0 g were administered on day 1 to 5,every 28 days for two cycles.Results:Complete relief was observed in 22 cases,partial relief in 7 cases and no response in 2 cases,the overall response rate reached 93%;the food intake obstruction was relieved in 97% of the cases;the 1,2 and 3-year local control rates were 88%,51%and 40%,respectively;the 1,2 and 3-year survival rates were 93%,66% and 58%,respectively.Acute radiations esoph-agitis occurred in 100% of the cases,and 15% of them were at a grade of ≥3;leucopenia was observed in 56% of the cases,and 34% of them were at a grade of ≥3.Conclusions:3DCRT combined with chemotherapy is an effective and well-tolerated regimen for treatment of patients with esophageal cancer.