High dose rate intracavitary therapy in advanced carcinoma esophagus.

Nine patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the middle third of the esophagus were treated by high dose rate intracavitary therapy. The dose delivered was 12 Gy in two sessions at 1 cm from the center of the source. All nine patients were alive after 9 months. Six months after treatment, 4 patients had strictures which were dilated. At the end of nine months, 6 patients had dysphagia, four of whom had strictures and two had recurrence which was treated by further intracavitary irradiation. Intracavitary radiation using high dose rate, remote controlled afterloader has a significant role in palliation in patients with advanced esophageal carcinoma and avoids intubation.