Swallowing performance after radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma oesophagus.

OBJECTIVE

To consider assessment of swallowing performance status as an alternative to survival in reporting results of treatment in patients with carcinoma oesophagus.

METHODS

Twenty five patients of squamous cell carcinoma of oesophagus treated with radiotherapy were evaluated clinically, radiologically and endoscopically, to assess their response to treatment.

RESULTS

Two months after radiotherapy, 10 of 25 patients had swallowing score-1. During radiotherapy, oesophagitis involving normal oesophagus and diseased segment was seen in 64% of cases. Fifty six percent of patients developed stricture (24% malignant, 32% benign). At the end of two years, only five patients were alive, two with swallowing score of 2, two with swallowing score of 3 and one with swallowing score of 4.

CONCLUSION

As the overall survival in carcinoma oesophagus is poor, the short term criteria for assessing the response of treatment should be swallowing performance status. Radiotherapy treatment can provide substantial palliation for patients debilitated by dysphagia.