A single session of intraluminal brachytherapy in palliation of oesophageal cancer

摘要: Abstract Between September 1987 and 1993, 88 patients with oesophageal cancer were treated by a single session of intraluminal brachytherapy 15 Gy prescribed at 1 cm distance from the central axis, using MDR 137 Cs ( n = 51) during first part study HDR 192 Ir 37) second study. All regarded as inoperable. Improvement dysphagia, assessed 4–6 weeks after treatment, was noted in 50 75 (67%) evaluable patients, whereas swallowing ability completely restored 47% them. Relapse dysphagia occurred 28 (37%) follow-up. Additional palliative treatment consisted endoprosthesis 14 (19%), course 13 (17%), one or more dilatations only 11 (15%) laser four (5%) patients. One non-fatal haemorrhage five fistulae occurred, all presence tumour. Two severe ulcerations without evidence tumour noted, both managed combined curative treatment. The median survival group investigated 5.5 months. An exophytic, non-circular growth pattern associated better response. In multivariate analysis distant metastases p 0.0028), weight loss 0.0051) an exophytic 0.0199) worse survival. present data indicate that ILB is appropriate palliation inoperable oesophagal showing bad prognostic signs. Up to now there has been no clear for benefit addition ERT.