Feasibility of intensity-modulated and image-guided radiotherapy for locally advanced esophageal cancer

• Main Authors: Nguyen, Nam, Jang, Siyoung, Vock, Jacqueline, Vinh-Hung, Vincent, Chi, Alexander, Vos, Paul, Pugh, Judith, Vo, Richard, Ceizyk, Misty, Desai, Anand, Smith-Raymond, Lexie, the International Geriatric, Radiotherapy Group
• Other Authors: Department of Radiation Oncology, Howard University Hospital, 2401 Georgia Avenue, N.W., Room 2055, Washington, DC 20060, USA
• Language: en
• Published: BioMed Central 2014
• Subjects: Esophageal cancer; Tomotherapy; Normal tissue sparing
• Online Access: Nguyen et al. BMC Cancer 2014, 14:265 http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2407/14/265; http://hdl.handle.net/10150/610350; http://arizona.openrepository.com/arizona/handle/10150/610350

BACKGROUND:In this study the feasibility of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and tomotherapy-based image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) for locally advanced esophageal cancer was assessed.METHODS:A retrospective study of ten patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer who underwent concurrent chemotherapy with IMRT (1) and IGRT (9) was conducted. The gross tumor volume was treated to a median dose of 70Gy (62.4-75Gy).RESULTS:At a median follow-up of 14months (1-39 months), three patients developed local failures, six patients developed distant metastases, and complications occurred in two patients (1 tracheoesophageal fistula, 1 esophageal stricture requiring repeated dilatations). No patients developed grade 3-4 pneumonitis or cardiac complications.CONCLUSIONS:IMRT and IGRT may be effective for the treatment of locally advanced esophageal cancer with acceptable complications.