Prognosis of postoperative radiotherapy for middle thoracic esophageal carcinoma

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of postoperative radiotherapy for middle thoracic esophageal carcinoma and identify prognostic factors for such patients. Methods Thirty-seven patients underwent radiotherapy for middle thoracic esophageal carcinoma after radical esophagectomy from October 2004 to November 2007 in our hospital.The survival rate,failure reason and prognosis-influencing factors were analyzed. Results The overall 1-and 3-year survival rate was 70.2% and 34.4%,respectively.The median survival time was 23 months.The 1-and 3-year survival rate of patients in stages T₁+T₂ and T₃ was 81.8% and 63.6%,and 65.2% and 21.7%,respectively（P=0.046）.The 1-and 3-year survival rate of patients in stages N0 and N1 was 75.9% and 33.7%,and 50.0% and 37.5%,respectively（P=0.644）.The 1-and 3-year survival rate of patients in stages II and III was 73.3% and 35.6%,and 57.1% and 28.6%,respectively（P=0.457）.Distant metastases was the most common treatment failure reason,followed by local recurrence. Conclusion Postoperative radiotherapy should be performed for patients in stage T₃-4 disease or with lymph node metastasis.