Primary Tumor Status Affects on the Treatment Process and the Outcome of Esophageal Cancer Patients Treated by Radiation Therapy: Results of the Patterns of Care Study

Materials/Methods: A national survey of 76 facilities was conducted by PCS working group in Japan. Detailed information including clinical T stage was accumulated on 385 esophageal cancer patients who received RT without esophagectomy between 1999 and 2001. Tumor main location was mid thoracic esophagus in 63% and 99% had squamous histology. T1 stage accounted for 21% of the patients, T2 for 12%, T3 for 38% and T4 for 29%. The median age of T1, T2, T3 and T4 disease was 72, 73, 73 and 67 years old. Karnofsky Performance Score (KPS) less than equal 70 identified in T1, T2, T3 T4 were 11%, 17%, 35%, 37% (p .001).