Thermo-chemo-radiotherapy of esophageal cancer. A preliminary report of 34 cases.

Thirty-four cases of esophageal cancer were treated by radiation combined with chemotherapy and hyperthermia (triple therapy) from September 1985 to January 1986. Hyperthermia was performed by an intracavitary microwave applicator of 915 MHz. The temperature at the tumor margin was 43 degrees C to 44 degrees C, whereas at the middle luminal surface of tumor it reached at 44 degrees C to 48.5 degrees C. Chemotherapy was with bleomycin (PYM) 20 mg/session, intramuscularly (IM) and cisplatin (DDP) 1.0 to 1.5 mg/kg/session intravenously (IV). Hyperthermia and chemotherapy were given simultaneously within 30 minutes after 500 cGy of radiation. Three modalities were given on the same day once a week for six sessions. The total response rate (complete + partial response [CR + PR]) was 94% (32/34) and 1-year and 2-year survival rates were 74% (25/34) and 44% (15/34), respectively. Among them were 23 patients primarily treated by triple therapy with the 1-year and 2-year survival rates of 83% (19/23) and 48% (11/23), respectively. No serious side effects were seen. The average microwave power consumption during the hyperthermic treatment and its prognostic significance are discussed.