[Clinicopathological evaluation of high-range hyperthermia for advanced thoracic esophageal carcinoma]

The effectiveness of high-range hyperthermia over 45 degrees C for advanced esophageal carcinoma was clinicopathologically evaluated. Fifty-eight patients with advanced thoracic esophageal carcinoma were treated with radio-chemotherapy. They were divided into two groups: group I included 32 cases, all of whom received hyperthermia (13 cases: high-range hyperthermia); group II included the other 26 cases. The patients were given 2 Gy/day for a total of 15 sessions in 3 weeks. Bleomycin and cisplatin in combination with 5-fluorouracil have been employed as chemotherapy. Hyperthermia was performed twice a week for a total of 6 sessions. Intraluminal heating was done using Japan Crescent Inc. IH-500 T (RF, 13.56 MHz), with an intraesophageal applicator and two extra-corporeal applicators on the chest and the back. Concerning local effects, the efficacy rate was 81.3% in group I (high-range: 92.9%), and 42.3% in group II. The histologic effectiveness, when Grade 2 and 3 are determined as histologically effective, were 64.3% (high range: 85.7%) and 50.0% in group I and II, respectively.