Endocavitary radiotherapy in carcinoma oesophagus.

ABSTRACT

Radiation therapy is often used in an attempt to palliate or cure oesophageal neoplasms. However, the radiation tolerance of the normal structures around the oesophagus (heart, lung and spinal cord) restricts the radiation dose that can be delivered. We used a nasogastric catheter to deliver High Dose Intra-luminal Iridium-192 irradiation for carcinoma of the oesophagus using HDR-Varisource machine. This technique for treatment of carcinoma of the oesophagus can help overcome the dose restraints. The external beam radiation dose was about 46 Gy and the intra luminal dose was 5 Gy at 1 cm from central axis. These after loading procedures are simple, fast and accurate and can be used to boost external radiation therapy doses. Since the intra luminal boost delivers a high-localized dose with little side effects, this simple technique should be used to obtain palliation, delay tumour progression, reduce overall treatment time and attempt to improve survival in patients with oesophageal neoplasm. Intra luminal brachytherapy helps achieve good palliation in these neoplasms.