[Radiation treatment of esophageal cancer patients]

The data on 216 cases of cancer of the thoracic part of the esophagus treated by radiation are presented. The course of treatment was completed in 169 patients only. Two modalities of Co-60 teletherapy were employed. Complete regression of tumor was slightly more frequent in patients who were exposed to split-course radiation at two weeks' intervals than in those receiving a continuous course (22 +/- 4 and 33 +/- 6%, respectively). A five-year disease-free survival after a full course totalling a NSD of 60-70 Gy was registered in 14%.