Clinical evaluation of radiotherapy for advanced esophageal cancer after metallic stent placement.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the therapeutic effect of radiotherapy for esophageal cancer after expandable metallic stent placement.


METHODS
Ten cases of advanced esophageal cancer were evaluated, 7 having complete obstruction and 3 with digestive-respiratory fistula. Ten nitinol stents were placed at the site of stenosis. Patients were treated with a total dose of 1 200 cGy divided into 3 fractions of 400 cGy 4-7 d after stents placement.


RESULTS
All the 10 stents were placed successfully at one time. After radiotherapy for advanced esophageal cancer, the survival period of the cases ranged from 14 to 22 mo, with a mean survival of 17 mo. No re-stenosis occurred among all the 10 cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Stent placement combined with radiotherapy for esophageal cancer is helpful to prolong patients' survival and reduce occurrence of re-stenosis.
Yu
You-Tao
YT
Department of Radiotherapy, Tumor Hospital of Harbin University, Harbin 150040, Heilongjiang Province, China.
Yang
Guang
G
Liu
Yan
Y
Shen
Bao-Zhong
BZ
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000497:Alloys; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008875:Middle Aged; D012828:Silicones; D015607:Stents; D016019:Survival Analysis
D000497:Alloys; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D012828:Silicones; C013616:nitinol