Authors' objectives:

This study sought to: assess the effectiveness of high-dose-rate endoluminal brachytherapy in the treatment of oesophageal cancer, in terms of recurrence, survival, control of symptoms and patients' quality of life; and ascertain the safety of this procedure in terms of the toxicity of radiotherapy.

Authors' recommendations: Brachytherapy of a palliative nature could be considered in oesophageal cancers with unresectable lesions or distant metastases. In such cases, high-dose-rate brachytherapy has proved to be a swift and effective method of relieving dysphagy and a suitable alternative to stents. Using a fractionation schedule, a dose range of 12 to 15 Gy would be advisable.Brachytherapy could also be used for localised, early-stage tumours, where these were not operable or where patients rejected surgery, were of an advanced age or had a poor clinical condition. The main adverse effects of the technique are development of oesophageal stenosis and fistulae, and haemorrhages. Minor complications include mild retrosternal pain and postradiation oesophagitis.

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.sergas.es/docs/Avalia-t/CT2010-04-braquit-esofago.pdf

Year Published: 2010

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Spain

Organisation Name: Scientific Advice Unit, avalia-t; The Galician Health Knowledge Agency (ACIS)

Contact Address: Conselleria de Sanidade, Xunta de Galicia, San Lazaro s/n 15781 Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Tel: 34 981 541831; Fax: 34 981 542854;

Contact Name: avalia-t@sergas.es

Contact Email: avalia-t@sergas.es

Copyright: Galician Agency for Health Technology Assessment (AVALIA-T)