Salvage Carbon-ion Radiotherapy for Isolated Lymph Node Recurrence Following Curative Resection of Esophageal Cancer

AIM: Evaluation of the therapeutic efficacy of carbon-ion radiation therapy for isolated lymph node recurrence following curative resection of esophageal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten cases with lymph node recurrence after esophageal cancer surgery were treated with carbon-ion radiation therapy. A total of 48.0 Gy [relative biologic effectiveness (RBE)] was delivered over 3 weeks with a daily dose of 4.0 Gy (RBE). RESULTS: The median follow-up duration was 27.1 months (range=3-92.0 months) after carbon-ion radiation therapy. The local control rates at 2, 3 and 5 years were 92.4%. The overall survival rates at 2, 3 and 5 years were 70.0%, 58.3% and 21.9%. The median survival period was 45.3 months after carbon-ion radiation therapy. There were no toxicities of grade 3 or higher. CONCLUSION: Carbon-ion radiation therapy may be a safe and effective treatment option for isolated lymph node recurrence after radical surgery for esophageal cancer.