Analysis of Effect on Concurrent Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy for 86 Cases with Advanced Esophageal Carcinoma

[Purpose]To evaluate the response and toxicity of concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy for advanced esophageal carcinoma. [Methods]From March 2001 to March 2003,eighty-six cases with advanced esophageal carcinoma were randomly divided into two group: Group B (41 cases) were treated with conventional fractionated radiotherapy during the first two thirds of the treatment ,then followed by late three dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT). Group A (45 cases) received the same radiotherapy schedule as Group B, with concurrent chemotherapy including cispatin and 5-fluorouracil. [Results] The 2-,3-year local control rates were 75.4% and 60.3% in Group A, and 68.4%, 45.8% in Group B respectively (P0.05). 2-,3-year survival rates were 72.4% and 48.5% in Group A, and 55.1%, 35.3% in Group B(P0.05). The distant metastasis rates were 13.3% in Group A which was significantly lower than that in group B (39.0%, P0.01). [Conclusions]Concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy for advanced esophageal carcinoma could improve the local control and survival rates, and decrease distant metastasis rates.Further follow-up data are needed for long-term survival.