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Title: Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy for Esophageal Cancer With Malignant Fistula

Journal Article · · International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics
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  1. Department of Radiation Oncology, Kinki University School of Medicine, Osaka (Japan)

Background: We reviewed clinical results of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in the treatment of patients with advanced esophageal cancer with fistulae that developed before or during CRT. Methods and Materials: The study group included 16 patients with fistulous esophageal cancer treated by means of CRT between 1999 and 2006. Nine patients had fistulae before CRT, whereas 7 developed fistulae during CRT. The group included 12 men and four women with a median age of 55 years (range, 37-77 years). There were 9 patients with Stage III disease and 7 with Stage IV disease. All tumors were squamous cell carcinomas. Two courses of concurrent chemotherapy were combined with radiation therapy; 60 Gy/30 fractions/7 weeks (1-week split). For 15 patients, low-dose protracted chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil (250-300 mg/m{sup 2} x 14 days) and cisplatin (7 mg/m{sup 2} x 10 days) was administered, whereas full-dose cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil were administered to the remaining patient. Results: The planned dose of 60 Gy was delivered to 11 patients (69%), whereas radiation therapy was terminated early in 5 patients (40-58 Gy) because of acute toxicities, including two treatment-related deaths. Disappearance of fistulae was noted during or after CRT in 7 patients (44%). All three esophagomediastinal fistulae were closed, but only four of 13 esophagorespiratory fistulae were closed by CRT. For patients with Stage III, 1- and 2-year survival rates were 33% and 22%, respectively. Median survival time was 8.5 months. Conclusion: Despite significant toxicity, concurrent CRT appears effective at closing esophageal malignant fistulae.

OSTI ID:
21124146
Journal Information:
International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics, Vol. 70, Issue 5; Other Information: DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2007.08.060; PII: S0360-3016(07)04079-5; Copyright (c) 2008 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0360-3016
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English