The efficacy of three-dimensional conformal late course accelerated fractionation radiotherapy for esophageal carcinoma.

Objective To evaluate the efficiency of the three-dimensional conformal late course accelerated fractionation radiotherapy for esophageal carcinoma.Methods A total of 71 patients with esophageal carcinoma were randomized into two groups ; PTV1 (apart from 4cm in length. Tumor margin extend from 0.5 to 1 cm)received three-dimensional radiotherapy (2 GR per day, 5 times a week to a total dose of 40 GR in 4 weeks ), PTV2(apart from 4cm in length ,tumor margin extend from 0.5 to 1 cm)received three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (1.5FR twice a day ,with an internal of 4 to 6 hours between fractions to a total dose of 67 GR /38 FX /6 weeks ) ;non- three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy group received the same schedule as three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy group, the same 8MV-x radiotherapy was used in both groups.Results the 1,2,3 year survival and local tumor control rates in the three-dimensional conformal group were significantly improved compared to the non three-dimensional conformal group ,being respectively 88.9%、75%、63.9% VS 68.6%、51.4%、40%and 86.1%、72.2%、58.3%VS 65.7%、48.5%、34.3% .The sida effects were dramatically reduced in the three-dimensional conformal group. Conclusion The preliminary results from the study has shown that three-dimensional late course accelerated fractionation radiotherapy for esophageal carcinoma can give better survival rate than non- three-dimensional formal radiotherapy.