Combined external beam and intracavitary radiotherapy in oesophageal carcinoma

• Published in: Clinical oncology (Royal College of Radiologists (Great Britain)) Vol. 4; no. 4; pp. 222 - 227
• Main Authors: Agrawal, R.K., Dawes, P.J.D.K., Clague, M.B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 1992
• Subjects: Adenocarcinoma - radiotherapy; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Brachytherapy - adverse effects; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - radiotherapy; Deglutition Disorders - etiology; Esophageal Neoplasms - complications; Esophageal Neoplasms - mortality; Esophageal Neoplasms - radiotherapy; External radiotherapy; Female; Humans; Intracavitary radiotherapy; Male; Methods; Middle Aged; Oesophageal carcinoma; Palliative Care; Radiotherapy Dosage; Survival Rate; External radiotherapy; Intracavitary radiotherapy; Oesophageal carcinoma
• ISSN: 0936-6555; 1433-2981
• DOI: 10.1016/S0936-6555(05)81056-8

Seventy patients (40 males, 30 female; age 36–87 years, median 72 years) who were unsuitable for surgery were referred to the Regional Radiotherapy Centre, Newcastle General Hospital with oesophageal carcinoma (54 squamous cell; tumour length 2–14 cm). Sixty-seven patients received combined external beam radiotherapy (20–50 Gy in 5–20 fractions over 1–4 weeks) followed by intracavitary radiation (66 patients received 10 Gy at 1 cm; the remaining 4 received less) using an endoscopically inserted afterloading technique at 6.4 Gy/hour. Swallowing was restored in 65 patients (92%), although 39 patients (55.7%) subsequently required dilatation. Four developed fistulae (1 day, 2 months, 11 months, 17 months post-treatment). The actuarial survival was 71% at 6 months and 42% at 1 year. The combined treatment is well tolerated, with few complications and provides good palliation.