The effect of external beam irradiation after endoscopic palliation of esophageal carcinoma.

The aim of this study was to verify the value of additional external beam irradiation (EBR) after endoscopic palliation, regarding quality of life and survival rate. From January 1988 to December 1995, 99 patients with esophageal carcinoma (squamous cell carcinoma 61; adenocarcinoma 38) were reviewed, there were 84 males (mean age: 67 years) and 16 females (mean age: 65 years). Seventeen patients were in stage IIb, 45 stage III and 37 patients in stage IV. HDR-brachyradiotherapy (mean: 14.7 Gy) was carried out in all patients. Additional EBR (mean: 47.8 Gy) after endoluminal palliation was done in 51 cases. At 6-months follow-up swallowing of a semi-solid diet at least was possible in all patients and dysphagia was found with significant difference in favour to EBR only in stage IV (p=0.011). The Karnovsky performance status showed a difference in favour of EBR for stage III and IV (p=0.040 and p=0. 049, respectively). The median overall survival for EBR compared to no EBR was 10 and 7 months, with a 12 months survival rate of 60% and 16% (p=0.0012). However, considering different stages and EBR versus no EBR a significant difference in survival could only be found for stage IIb (p=0.031), a trend in favour of EBR could be found for stage III (p=0.0985) and stage IV (p=0.0543). Tumor regrowth 6-12 months after treatment occurred in 31 cases and was successfully treated with Nd-YAG laser in 25 and stenting in 6 cases. Postirradiation fibrotic stenosis occurred in 12 cases. Improved survival rates after additional EBR can only be expected in stage IIb. However, in case of advanced esophageal carcinoma and fair performance status, EBR after endoluminal palliation help to maintain quality of life.