[A clinical analysis of combination treatment with brachytherapy and external radiation, plus chemotherapy for the treatment of esophageal cancer].
OBJECTIVE
To analyse the value of various combinations of treatment for esophageal cancer.


METHODS
One hundred twenty cases of esophageal cancer were randomly divided into four groups, 30 cases in each group. Group I was treated with external radiation (RT) alone; group II, with RT plus brachytherapy; group III with RT plus chemotherapy, and group IV with RT plus brachytherapy and chemotherapy. RT with 60Co was given 2 Gy daily, 5 times a week, with a total dose of 60-74 Gy. Brachytherapy was given 6-8 Gy once weekly with a total dose of 18-24 Gy. Chemotherapy with carboplatin was given 100 mg/day, five days a week at first and fifth week.


RESULTS
The 1, 2, 3-year survival rate in group II, III and IV was higher than that in group I (P < 0.05). The 3-year survival rate of group I-IV patients was 13.3%, 36.7%, 40.0%, 46.7%, respectively. More patients died of cancer recurrence and progression in group I than in any of the other 3 groups of patients (P < 0.05). However, the frequency of distant metastasis was not significantly different.


CONCLUSIONS
The combination treatment with external radiation, brachytherapy and chemotherapy can improve the local control of tumor growth and the survival rate in esophageal cancer patients.
Zhong
X
X
Huizhou Central People's Hospital, Guangdong 516001, China.
Yuan
D
D
Yang
L
L
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000379:methods*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018307:Neoplasms, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy; D011829:Radiation Dosage
D016190:Carboplatin