Postoperative Irradiation for Esophageal Carcinoma

Postoperative irradiation for curative resection of esophageal carcinoma has been used in order to eradicate micro-dissemination and micro-metastases. Generally, a long T-shaped field is employed for postoperative irradiation, and the risk of radiation myelopathy increases even at low doses when the irradiated volume of the spinal cord enlarges. Some questions arise about the postoperative irradiation: First, whether its effectiveness outweighs the risk; second, for which patients it is indispensable; third, what is the optimal dose of irradiation; fourth, whether combined chemotherapy improves the prognosis; and fifth, what the actual incidence of radiation myelopathy is. We analyzed data compiled over the last decade.