[Radiotherapy of esophageal carcinoma. Results checked clinically by radiology, endoscopy, biopsy and autopsy].

Forty-four patients with histologically confirmed esophageal cancer were irradiated with 60 Gy, checked endoscopically and by biopsy, and then followed clinically or radiologically until their death. The findings confirm the local destructibility of esophageal cancer with loosely ionized radiation and a favorable effect on quality of life. Three quarters of the patients were able to take normal food at the end of the radiotherapy, while the remainder were at least able to swallow soft foods. Radiotherapy can be offered as an effective alternative to patients, especially when operation is associated with a high risk. This is also demonstrated by the fact that 23 of 32 patients who had endoscopy and biopsy again at the end of the radiotherapy had no histologically demonstrable tumor.