Clinical observation of three dimensional conformal radiation therapy for patients with II,III stage esophageal carcinoma

Objective: To evaluate the results and side effects of esophageal carcinoma treated with three dimensional conformal radiation therapy.Methods: Ninety six patients were enrolled in the study,53 patients in conventional radiotherepy(CF) group and 43 patients in 3DCRT group.The patients in CF group received conventional radiotherepy 2.0 Gy/f,5 fractions a week to a total dose of 50～68 Gy;The patients in 3DCRT group were first treated by the same fractionation in CF group to the dose of 20 Gy,and then treated by 3DCRT in 2.0 Gy/f,5 fractions a week to a total dose of 50～70 Gy.Results: The overall immediate response rate(CR+PR) were 93.0% and 86.8% in 3DCRT group and in CF group respectively(χ2=7.569,P0.05).The 1,2,3 year survival rates were 56.6%,32.1%,20.8%in CF group and 72.1%,48.8%,32.6% in 3DCRT group(χ2=3.409,P0.05).The 1,2 and 3 year local control rate in CF group were 62.3%,41.5% and 34%,while in group 3DCRT,it were 72.1%,60.5% and 53.5% respectively(χ2=4.693,P0.05).Between the two groups,there was no significant difference in radiation esophagitis,and there was no significant difference in WBC toxicity.Conclusions: The results from this study show that 3DCRT is feasible in the treatment of esophageal carcinoma with better recent tumor response and local control rate,not increase survival rate and normal tissue complication.However,the effects for a long term survival need futher study.