title: Palliation in esophageal cancer with a single session of intraluminal irradiation.
abstract: From September 1987 to December 1989, 36 patients with advanced esophageal cancer entered a study in order to determine the efficacy of palliation by a single session of intraluminal irradiation. A dose of 15 Gy was administered at 1 cm distance from the central axis of the applicator. In 22 of 32 patients alive at least 6 weeks after treatment dysphagia improved, in 14 this relief was complete. Re-obstruction occurred in 8 of the 22 responders, but a second treatment with intraluminal irradiation gave improvement in six. Intraesophageal prostheses were needed in only 6 of the 36 patients. Intraluminal irradiation is easy to administer and safe, it forms a useful addition to the therapeutic possibilities for the palliation of esophageal cancer.
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D000368:Aged; D001918:Brachytherapy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage
chemical_list: D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes