SUPERFICIAL ESOPHAGEAL CANCER - MULTICENTER ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF DEFINITIVE RADIATION-THERAPY IN JAPAN

PURPOSE: To assess the effectiveness of definitive radiation therapy i n patients with superficial esophageal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Method of irradiation, local control rate, survival rate, and complica tions were assessed in 105 patients (89 men, 16 women; age range, 50-8 8 years) with superficial esophageal cancer treated with definitive ra diation therapy at 15 hospitals in 1981-1990. RESULTS: All lesions wer e confirmed to be squamous cell carcinoma. The overall 5-year survival rate was 38.7%; the 5-year disease-specific survival rate was 71.0%. The 2-year local control rate was 83.0%. Late complications occurred i n 16 patients. The prevalence of complications was relatively high in the group treated with intraluminal radiation therapy. CONCLUSION: Loc al control and survival rates in patients treated with radiation thera py were excellent especially in the group treated with external and in traluminal radiation therapy; however, the optimal dose and optimal co mbination of external and intraluminal radiation therapy should be fur ther assessed.