Result of Radiotherapy of Esophageal cancer

During the 6 years from 1969 to 1974, 31 patients with esophageal cancer were treated by radiotherapy with focal doses above 4,000 rad (40Gy). Cobalt 60 gamma rays were employed for the irradiation with parallel-opposing portals. Survival rates for these patients were 45.1% for 1 year, 12.9% for 2 years, 9.7% for 3 and 4 years, and 6.5% for 5 years; they mean survival time was 16.2 months. The results were tabulated according to the tumor types, lengths and sites and according to doses. Two of the 3 cases who survived more than 4 years were irradiated with 10,000 rad (100Gy) and more focal doses including reirradiation of local recurrences.