[Multifractionated radiotherapy of esophageal cancer]

The authors investigated the effectiveness of multifractionated radiotherapy with a daily dose (2-2.2 Gy) divided into equal fractions provided to 42 esophageal cancer patients. The total focal dose was 40-70 Gy. Most of the patients were at the age of over 50, stage T3-4 was established in 83%. Multifractionated irradiation was shown to reduce the frequency and severity of general and local radiation reactions, maintaining a therapeutic effect. Owing to improved tolerance of the treatment, the number of patients eligible for radical radiotherapy was on an increase. It permitted the improvement of immediate therapeutic results and an increase in the mean survival of patients with a good immediate therapeutic result. Complete tumor regression, detected on x-ray, was achieved in 31%, and in the use of the common method--in 20% only. The above method should be regarded as a sparing one to be used for the treatment of weakened patients and patients with associated pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases.