Relationship Between Tumor Regression Speed And Prognosis Of Radiation Therapy In Esophageal Carcinoma

Objective This study was to observe esophageal carcinoma regression by barium swallow during radiotherapy, analyze the correlations of tumor regression speed with prognosis and evaluate the clinical value of barium swallow during radiotherapy for ESCC.Methods Form July 2003 to July 2005,81 ESCC patients,treated with radiotherapy at Cancer Center of Qilu Hospital,Shandong University,were retrospectively analyzed. Barium swallow was performed each radiation dose of lOGy, to radiothrapy 70Gy.The X-ray appearance was classified according to Zhengzhou Meeting criteria(1982).The patients were divided into 3 groups according to their tumor regression speed:Group A had rapid regression, with the X-ray appearance classified as gradeⅠorⅡat 40 Gy;Group B had slow regression, with the X-ray appearance classified as gradeⅢorⅣat 40 Gy.but as gradeⅡorⅡat the radiation end; Group C had obvious residues tumors,with the X-ray appearance kept being classified as gradeⅢorⅣat radiation end.Results The complete response (CR)rates were 100.0% in Group A,62.9% in Group B, and 26.7% in Group C; the three-year survival rates were 45.8%,22.2 %, and 16.7%.The 3·year survival rates of CR patients were 45.8% in Group A,35.3 % in Group B, and 37.5% in Group C (P>0.05). Conclusions Barium swallow during radiotherapy for ESCC could be used to judge tumor regression speed and extent, which is closely related to short-term response. Short-term response is an important prognostic factor of ESCC.Tumor regression rates during radiation therapy have a prognostic influence on locoregional control for esophageal carcinoma, and residual disease at the end of radical radiotherapy indicates a poor local-regional control.