Therapeutic effects of simultaneous intraluminal irradiation and intraluminal hyperthermia on oesophageal carcinoma

An applicator enabling simultaneous intraluminal radiotherapy and intralumi nal hyperthermia delivery was developed to improve the treatment results fo r locally advanced oesophageal carcinoma. Eight inoperable cases were treat ed by this method. Six cases received 40 Gy external irradiation followed b y simultaneous intraluminal hyperthermia and radiotherapy (3 Gy and 4 Gy in three cases each) once weekly for 3 weeks; the remaining two cases receive d 50 Gy external irradiation followed by simultaneous intraluminal hyperthe rmia and radiotherapy (4 Gy) once weekly for 2 weeks. Hyperthermia was deli vered by a radiofrequency current thermotherapy instrument for 30 min at an output that raised the oesophageal mucosal surface temperature to 42-43 de greesC. Intraluminal radiotherapy seas delivered with a microSelectron to a submucosal depth of 5 min after the first 15 min of hyperthermia. Four cas es achieved complete response, with all demonstrating local control. Partia l response was obtained in four cases, and three of these patients died of local recurrence. There were no significant adverse side effects apart from fistula in one case. In conclusion, simultaneous intraluminal radiotherapy and hyperthermia may improve the current treatment results for locally adv anced oesophageal carcinoma.