[Radiotherapy for anaplastic esophageal cancer]

We report our experience with radiation therapy in 2 patients with anaplastic esophageal cancer with extensive distant metastases. Radiotherapy was given to the primary esophageal lesions and in both patients the tumors completely disappeared after irradiation with 2000 to 3000 rads. However, the metastatic lesions of the bone and liver did not respond despite the administration of BLM + PT -207 + BEMP in one case and METVFC + FT -207 in the other. Both patients died 4 and 5 months, respectively, after beginning the treatment. Effective chemotherapy of metastases needs to be developed because the primary lesions of anaplastic esophageal cancer are highly sensitive to radiation therapy.