Radiation therapy for superficial type esophageal carcinoma]

During the period from 1984 through 1991, fifteen patients with superficial esophageal carcinoma were treated with radiation therapy. The clinical stage of these patients was I in 13 cases and IV in two cases. We analyzed the treatment results of 13 patients with stage I disease. Seven patients were treated with external irradiation only and six patients with external irradiation plus high dose rate intracavitary irradiation. The survival rates at one, two and five years were 73.3%, 73.3% and 30.6%, respectively. The relapse-free survival rates at one, two and five years were 76.9%, 76.9% and 76.9%, respectively. Combination chemotherapy and combined therapy with intracavitary irradiation did not improve the local control rate or survival. At present, six patients have already died. The cause of death was uncontrolled primary lesion in one, radiation-induced esophageal ulcer in one, other causes in three and unknown cause in one patient. Local control was achieved in 84.6%(11/13). Radiation therapy for superficial esophageal carcinoma seems as effective as surgical therapy and may become a curative alternative.