Randomized study on late course accelerated hyperfractionation radiotherapy plus cisplatin in the treatment of esophageal carcinomas

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic results of late course accelerated hyperfractionation (LCAH) radiotherapy plus cisplatin as a radiosensitizer in the treatment of esophageal carcinoma. Methods: One hundred and four patients with squamou s cell carcinoma of the esophagus were randomized into two groups: LCAH alone group (53 patients) and LCAH + cisplatin group (51 patients). The same irradiation technique was given for both groups with conventional fractionation (2 Gy daily, 5 times a week) in the first 3 weeks and late course accelerated hyperfractionation (1.5 Cry twice daily, a minimum interfraction interval of 6 hours, 5 days per week) in the last 2 weeks. The total dose was 60 Gy/5 wks. In LCAH + cisplatin group, cisplatin was given simultaneous with 20 mg once daily for 5 days in the 1st and 5th weeks. The acute and late side effects were evaluated during :and after the treatment. Results: The median survival time was 12.2 months and 17.0 months in the LCAH alone group and LCAH + cisplatin group. The 1- and 3-year survival rates in LCAH group were 52.8 % and 20.8%; while those of LCAH + cisplatin group were 58.0 % and 24.0% (P>0.05). The acute gastrointestinal toxicities and hematological toxicities were obvious in LCAH + cisplatin group, but no increased acute esophagitis or late complications was observed. Conclusions: Late course accelerated hyperfractionation radio-therapy used simultaneously with cisplatin tends to increase the overall survival rate compared with the late course accelerated hyperfractionation radiotherapy alone in the treatment of esophageal carcinoma. (authors)