Radiation treatment for cervical esophagus: Patterns of practice study in Canada, 1996

Purpose: To assess the patterns of practice among Canadian radiation oncolo gists who treat esophageal cancers, using a trans-Canada survey, completed at the end of 1996, Methods and Materials: One of 3 case presentations of different stages of c ervical esophageal cancer was randomly assigned and sent to participating r adiation oncologists by mail. Respondents were asked to fill in questionnai res regarding treatment techniques and to outline target volumes for the bo ost phase of radiotherapy. Radiation oncologists from 26 of 27 (96%) of ail Canadian centers participated. Results: High-energy X-rays (greater than or equal to 10 MV) were employed by 68% of the respondents in part of the treatment course. The majority (83 %) of the radiation oncologists used at least two phases of treatment. Very few, 10 of 59 (17%), responses started with multifield treatment. The most frequently used prescription dose was 60 Gy/30 fractions/6 weeks, given wi th concurrent chemotherapy, Dose prescriptions were to the isocenter in 39 of 48 (81%) or to a particular isodose line in 9 of 48 (19%) of respondents . Conclusion: There was a variety of radiation treatment techniques in this t rans-Canada survey. The majority of the patients had combined cisplatin-bas ed chemoradiation. The isocenter was not used consistently as a dose prescr iption point. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc.