Comparative evaluation of therapeutic approaches in stage III and IV squamous cell carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus with conventional radiotherapy and endoscopic treatment in combination and endoscopic treatment alone: a randomized prospective trial.

PURPOSE

To define the role of endoscopic dilatation/intubation and radiotherapy in squamous cell carcinoma of esophagus patients to improve their quality of life.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

One hundred and four patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus having Stage III and IV disease were enrolled in the present study, with 90 patients in Group 1 (nonesophagorespiratory fistula group) and 14 patients in Group 2 (esophagorespiratory fistula group). From Group 1 patients, 47 were subjected to radiotherapy (conventional) and had endoscopic dilatation and/or intubation whenever and wherever required (Group 1a), and 43 patients were allowed to follow the natural course of the disease except palliation with endoscopic dilatation and/or intubation whenever and wherever required (Group 1b). From Group 2, 4 patients received radiotherapy in addition to endoscopic intubation, while 10 patients received only endoscopic intubation.

RESULTS

The median survival for Group 1a was 7 months, for Group 1b--3 months, for Group 2a--4.25 months, and Group 2b--3.6 months. Only three patients from Group 1a survived more than 18 months, while no patient from Groups 1b, 2a, or 2b survived for more than 1 year. The difference in survival between Group 1a and 1b was statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

The addition of radiotherapy to endoscopic treatment definitely prolongs survival as well as improves the quality of life of these patients. We recommend both for the adequate palliation of patients with this disease.