Analysis of outcome and failure reasons of late course accelerated hyperfrationation radiotherapy for esophageal carcinoma / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To define the prognostic factors and local failure in late course accelerated hyperfractionation radiotherapy(LCAHR) for esophageal carcinoma.Methods A retrospective study was conducted in 201 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients treated by LCAHR during the period between August 1994 to January 2000.The radiotherapeutic portals were set and based on CT scan and esophagograms. All patients received a mean dose of 41.4 Gy /23 F/4～5 WK. With conventional fractionation regimen during the first two thirds of the course,and followed by LCAHR with reduced fields, at dose of 27 Gy/18 d,1.5 Gy per fraction,twice daily. The total dose varied up to 67～70 Gy/40～43 F/40～49 d. Results The 1 ,3 and 5 year actuarial survivals were 72.5% ,35.6% and 31.1%. The 1 ,3 and 5 year local control rates were 82.2%, 71.3% and 71.3%,respectively. Of the 95 patients who died, 34(35.8%) did so from local failure , 32(33.7%) from distant metastasis(33.7 %), 13(3.7%) from lymphatic metastasis, 4(4.2%) frome both local and distant metastasis and 12(12.7%) from complications.Conclusions It is showed that significant improvement in local control and survival are observed after LCAHR for esophageal carcinoma in comparison to conventional fractionated regimen. The prevention and management of distant metastasis and lymphatic spread have become the major problems in the future.