Endoscopic intubation and intracavitary irradiation in the palliative treatment of inoperable esophageal tumors

: The authors have applied at first in Hungary the intracavital after loading radiotherapy in patients suffering from esophageal tumor. A new method was elaborated for the combined use of endoscopic tube insertion and intracavital irradiation. Out of the 155 patients admitted on the 1st Surgical Department of Semmelweis University, Budapest, 63 had been treated only by tube insertion, 44 were intubated and irradiated, whereas 48 patients had intracavital radiotherapy without intubation. Radiotherapy was performed at the Radiological Unit of Semmelweis University. The irradiation dose ranged from 26,9 to 32,2 Gray in average. The mean survival of group I. was 4,0 months, that of group II. 6,3 months, and in group III. 7,0 months respectively. The expected survival is proportional to the radiation dose. No correlation exists between tumor localisation and survival. Respiratory fistula, the most common complication, occurred in different groups as follows: 3,4%, 6,2%, and 9,0%; but could have been treated by tube insertion, or adequate positioning of the tube. The combined use of intubation and intracavital after loading radiotherapy has been proven to be suitable for palliative treatment of inoperable esophageal tumors.