Radiation Therapy For Cervical And Upper Thoracic Esophageal Cancer: Retrospective Analysis Of 7 Institutions

This is a retrospective analysis of 56 patients with carcinoma of the cervical (Ce) and upper thoracic (Iu) esophagus treated by radiotherapy (>=50Gy). Complete response rates were 29% in Ce cancer, 18% in Iu cancer and 14% in Ce+Iu cancer. Five-year cause specific survival rates by Kaplan-Meier method were 27% in Ce cancer, 4% in Iu cancer and 0% in Ce+Iu cancer. Two-year local tumor control was obtained in 5 Ce, 4 Iu and 1 Ce+Iu cancer. Anterior-posterior portal treatment was used for 3 of the above 10 patients, a four field technique was used for two, and rotation, double wedge, wedge pair, right-left lateral portal and oblique portal were used for one patient each. There was no significant correlation between treatment method and local tumor control. Side effects after treatment were pneumonitis (2 patients) and radiation myelopathy (1). Wedge and compensating filter were used for 11 patients. Further investigation of dose and compensation is necessary for Ce and Iu cancer.