The clinica investigation on therapeutic effects and indication for radiation therapy in esophageal cancer

A retrospective study of 110 patients who underwent radiation therapy of 45 Gy or more for esophageal cancer from 1970 to 1980 was made. The complete response with shrinkage rate of 100% was seen in 20 (20.2%) of 99 patients in whom esophagography was undertaken. Among the 20 complete responders, the length of the lesion was less than 6.0 cm in 7 patients, 6.0 to 8.9 cm in 11, and 9.0 to 11.9 cm in 2, suggesting that lesions less than 9.0 cm in length are suitable for radical radiation therapy. The partial response was seen in 55 of the 99 patients (55.6%). The partial responders with tumor shrinkage of less than 80% died within six months to one year. Endoscopic examination revealed that radiation effects were more satisfactory in patients with higher elevation of lesions. Of 22 patients in whom radiation effects were excellent, 11 patients (50.0%) developed local recurrence. Retrotracheal abnormality derived from esophageal cancer was observed in 34 of 98 patients being examined. The relationship between abnormal findings on retrogade azygogram and the location of lesions on esophagogram was studied in 79 patients: the incidence of abnormal findings on azygogram was 54.8% at Im, 33.0% at Ei and 23.1% at Iu. Liver metastasis was seen in 21 of the 98 patients (21.4%). (Namekawa, K.)