Effects of radiotherapy combined with concurrent weekly paclitaxel in the treatment of patients with esophageal cancer

Objective To study the effect of radiotherapy combined with paclitaxel on esophageal cancer. Methods 50 cases of esophageal cancer were divided into radiotherapy to a total of 60-70Gy; combined group with received the same radiotherapy as simple irradiation group plus chemotherapy with weekly paclitaxel. Both groups were followed for 2years. 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 、 two year and five year survival rate were 80%、64% in combined. survival rate were 64%、40%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.