Prognostic analysis of 169 patients with unresectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma treated by three dimensional conformal radiation therapy

Abstract

Objective To study long-term outcome and prognostic factors of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients treated by three dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT). Methods 169 patients with unresectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma treated by 3DCRT were enrolled in the study. The survival rates of 1 year, 3 years and 5 years were estimated by life-table method. Univariate prognostic factor was tested by Log-rank method. Multivariate prognostic factor was analyzed by Cox model. Results The 1 year, 3 years and 5 years survival rates were 63.2 %, 34.1 % and 21.3 %, respectively. Univariate analyses showed that the length of tumor, the site of lesion, chemotherapy, the dose of plan gross tumor volume (PGTV) and the short-term outcomes after treatment were the important prognostic factors for the long-term survival (P < 0.05), and multivariate analyses showed that the length of tumor, chemotherapy and the short-term outcomes after treatment were the independent prognostic factors for the long-term survival (P < 0.05). Conclusions The patients with unresectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma treated by 3DCRT have a good long-term prognosis. The length of tumor, chemotherapy and the short-term outcomes after treatment are the important prognostic factors for the long-term survival of the patients. Chemotherapy can improve the long-term prognosis significantly. Key words: Esophageal neoplasms; Radiotherapy, conformal; Prognosis