BACKGROUND: Whether the combination of high dose-rate brachytherapy (HDRBT) and External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT) is superior to HDRBT alone for the palliation of oesophageal cancer has only been explored in a previous IAEA pilot randomized trial. METHODS:Two hundred and nineteen patients were randomized to adding EBRT or not, after receiving two fractions of HDRBT within 1 week. Each HDRBT consisted of 8 Gy prescribed at 1cm from source centre. Patients randomized to EBRT received 30 Gy in 10 fractions. The primary outcome was dysphagia-relief experience (DRE). Additional outcomes included various scores, performance status, weight and adverse events. A majority of charts, imaging and radiotherapy plans were externally audited. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 197 days, with a median OS of 188 days and an 18% survival rate at 1 year. DRE was significantly improved with combined therapy, for an absolute benefit of +18% at 200 days from randomization (p=0.019). In longitudinal regression analyses, scores for dysphagia (p=0.00005), odynophagia (p=0.006), regurgitation (p=0.00005), chest pain (p=0.0038) and performance status (p=0.0015) were all significantly improved. In contrast, weight, toxicities and overall survival were not different between study arms. CONCLUSION: Symptom improvement occurs with the addition of EBRT to standard HDRBT. The combination is well tolerated and relatively safe.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Whether the combination of high dose-rate brachytherapy (HDRBT) and External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT) is superior to HDRBT alone for the palliation of oesophageal cancer has only been explored in a previous IAEA pilot randomized trial. METHODS: Two hundred and nineteen patients were randomized to adding EBRT or not, after receiving two fractions of HDRBT within 1 week. Each HDRBT consisted of 8 Gy prescribed at 1cm from source centre. Patients randomized to EBRT received 30 Gy in 10 fractions. The primary outcome was dysphagia-relief experience (DRE). Additional outcomes included various scores, performance status, weight and adverse events. A majority of charts, imaging and radiotherapy plans were externally audited. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 197 days, with a median OS of 188 days and an 18% survival rate at 1 year. DRE was significantly improved with combined therapy, for an absolute benefit of +18% at 200 days from randomization (p=0.019). In longitudinal regression analyses, scores for dysphagia (p=0.00005), odynophagia (p=0.006), regurgitation (p=0.00005), chest pain (p=0.0038) and performance status (p=0.0015) were all significantly improved. In contrast, weight, toxicities and overall survival were not different between study arms. CONCLUSION: Symptom improvement occurs with the addition of EBRT to standard HDRBT. The combination is well tolerated and relatively safe.
Authors: Á Rovirosa; J Anchuelo; V Crispin; C Gutiérrez; A Herreros; I Herruzo; J C Menéndez; P Pino; A Polo; S Rodríguez Journal: Clin Transl Oncol Date: 2015-04-17 Impact factor: 3.405
Authors: Peter S N van Rossum; Nadia Haj Mohammad; Frank P Vleggaar; Richard van Hillegersberg Journal: Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol Date: 2017-12-13 Impact factor: 46.802
Authors: Douglas Adamson; Jane Blazeby; Catharine Porter; Christopher Hurt; Gareth Griffiths; Annmarie Nelson; Bernadette Sewell; Mari Jones; Martina Svobodova; Deborah Fitzsimmons; Lisette Nixon; Jim Fitzgibbon; Stephen Thomas; Anthony Millin; Tom Crosby; John Staffurth; Anthony Byrne Journal: Health Technol Assess Date: 2021-05 Impact factor: 4.014