title: Palliative therapy of inoperable oesophageal carcinoma with radiotherapy and methotrexate: final results of a controlled clinical trial.
abstract: Between May 1976 and January 1982, 170 patients were entered in a randomized study comparing a combined treatment consisting of methotrexate followed by irradiation versus radiotherapy alone in patients with non metastatic inoperable oesophageal cancer. Methotrexate was administered subcutaneously in 4 days to a total dose of 24 mg/m2. Radiotherapy was performed, in both groups, at a dose of 56.25 Gy in 25 fractions (5 weeks). The administration of methotrexate did not lead to an increased intolerance to radiotherapy but severe hematological toxicities were observed in 7.8% of the cases. No difference in the duration of survival was detected. Initial performance status of the patients and their weight loss prior to entry on trial were the factors that were most predictive of the patient's prognosis.
authors: Centre Francois Baclesse, Caen, France.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Roussel
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Bleiberg
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Dalesio
authors: J H
authors: JH
authors: Jacob
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Haegele
authors: G M
authors: GM
authors: Jung
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Paillot
authors: J F
authors: JF
authors: Heintz
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Gignoux
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Nasca
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D010166:Palliative Care; D011379:Prognosis; D011897:Random Allocation
chemical_list: D008727:Methotrexate