Intraluminal HDR Brachytherapy In Palliation Of Advanced Oesophageal Cancer: Single Institution Experience

To do a retrospective analysis of the results of palliative HDR brachytherapy in patients with advanced esophageal cancer. Treatment records of twenty-one patients with unresectable, advanced esophageal cancer treated with palliative intent by HDR brachytherapy alone were analysed retrospectively. All patients received a total dose of 12 Gy in one fraction . Remissions of dysphagia and other clinical and radiological factors were assessed in the first month post treatment, and then in the third, sixth, and twelfth months. The survival rate was compared with some chosen clinical factors using a log-rank test and the Kaplan- Meier method. The median survival time among all patients was 5.2 months. A longer median survival time was observed when tumor size was less then 7 cm (7.2 months), longer than 7 cm (4.0 months) (logrank p _ 0.002). Significant correlations were found between survival and the Karnofsky Performance Status, grade of dysphagia, and age. Following HDR brachytherapy for advanced esophageal cancer there was an improvement of dysphagia in most patients. The lower grade of dysphagia observed in first month post-treatment were the most important prognostic factors allowing for prolonged survival (confirmed by a multivariate analysis). In the univariate analysis, important prognostic factors for prolonged survival were: a higher Karnofsky Performance Status, and small tumor size.