Stereotactic radiotherapy in the treatment of local recurrences of esophageal cancer

Abstract

Esophageal cancer (EC) consists of tumors with a generally poor prognosis, and treatment options for patients with disease recurrence are extremely limited. Due to this poor patient prognosis, the possible treatment toxicity should be carefully balanced against its potential benefit and patient quality of life. Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is a rapidly expanding novel technique combining a short treatment time together with high local efficacy and an acceptable toxicity profile. There are no publications thus far presenting data regarding the usage of SBRT utilizing a conventional linear accelerator in locally recurrent EC patients. In the present study, 2 patients with recurrent EC in the neck lymph nodes were treated by SBRT in the Department of Oncology, University Hospital Olomouc, Czech Republic. The treatment dose was 30 and 40 Gy in 5 daily fractions, with a prescribed dose to 65 and 81% isodose, for each patient respectively, utilizing a volumetric arc therapy technique, a 6-MV photon beam and an Elekta Synergy linear accelerator. The treatment was delivered without any unintentional treatment interruptions and without any treatment-related acute toxicity. The maximum dose in the patients was 45.9 and 49.2 Gy, respectively. The maximum doses for the surrounding major blood vessels were 35.4 and 45.7 Gy, respectively. Maximum doses to the trachea and the esophagus in the first patient were 32.6 and 27.0 Gy. In the second patient, these doses were not clinically significant. SBRT utilizing linear accelerators should be considered in patients with localized recurrent EC, offering the patients the chance for local control with minimal treatment toxicity.