Brachytherapy for the palliation of dysphagia from esophageal cancer.

Title
Predictors of outcome of single-dose brachytherapy for the palliation of dysphagia from esophageal cancer.

Source
Brachytherapy. 5(1):41-8, 2006 Jan-Mar.

BACKGROUND:

Single-dose brachytherapy is a commonly used palliative treatment modality for esophageal carcinoma, however, a considerable number of patients need additional treatment for persistent or recurrent dysphagia. Our aim was to establish predictors of an unfavorable outcome after single-dose brachytherapy.

CONCLUSIONS:

Patients with stenotic esophageal tumors that cannot be bypassed or who previously underwent chemotherapy are poor candidates for single-dose brachytherapy. For these patients, a higher and/or fractionated dose of brachytherapy or alternative palliative treatment modalities should be considered.