[Treatment of unresectable esophageal carcinoma by stenting with or without radiochemotherapy].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the benefits of post-stenting radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy for unresectable esophageal carcinoma.


METHODS
Fifty-three patients with unresectable esophageal carcinoma were randomly divided into two groups: patients in group A (n = 27) were treated with stenting alone, and those in group B (n = 26) were treated with stenting followed by radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. Comparison was made by assessing their survival time, quality of life (QOL), degree of dysphagia, and stenting-related morbidity, respectively.


RESULTS
There was no statistically significant improvement in dysphagia and QOL between the two groups. Although there was no difference in the frequency of stenting-related complications, re-stenosis occurred much less frequently in group B patients (P = 0.007). The mean survival time of patients was 245 +/- 41 days and 262 +/- 43 days in group A and group B, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.813).


CONCLUSIONS
Besides decreased recurrence of stenosis, post-stenting radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy does not provide additional benefits for survival.
Fu
Jian-hua
JH
Tumor Hospital, Zhongshan University, Guangzhou 510060, China. fjh@medmail.com.cn
Rong
Tie-hua
TH
Li
Xiao-dong
XD
Yu
Hui
H
Ma
Guo-wei
GW
Min
Hua-qing
HQ
D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015607:Stents