Small, superficial esophageal carcinoma treated with high-dose-rate intracavitary irradiation only

Six patients with small, superficial carcinoma of the esophagus were treated with 18-24 Gy of high-dose-rate intracavitary irradiation only. All patients were examined with an endoscope within 1 month after therapy, and the tumor in all six had disappeared. However, erosion induced by high-dose-rate intracavitary irradiation was seen in five of the patients. Five of the patients have experienced no local recurrence; endoscopic biopsy showed local recurrence in the remaining patient 7 months after radiation therapy. All patients have survived 6-16 months. Esophageal ulceration induced by intracavitary irradiation occurred in three of the six patients; however, the ulcers have been healing with conservative treatment. This new method of using only high-dose-rate intracavitary irradiation appears to be effective in the patient with small, superficial esophageal carcinoma.