Comparison between Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy and Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy for Their Effectiveness in Esophageal Cancer Treatment: A Retrospective Single Institution Study

Abstract

Although a large number of influential studies that have been conducted worldwide on locally advanced esophageal cancer (EC) have employed the treatment modality of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT), an advanced as well as highly conformal technology known as intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) has attracted increasing attention from the radiotherapy research community. This is because of the clear advantages of IMRT, including decrease in radiation dose that reaches critical cardiopulmonary organs. These two treatment modalities need to be investigated with regard to their effect on local control rate and patient survival. In addition, related clinical factors also need to be explored. Data from a total of 431 patients with locally advanced EC, who underwent radiation therapy between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2013, were included in the present study. Two hundred and ninety-three patients received 3D-CRT, while 138 patients received IMRT. We constructed propensity score matches to make the two groups be comparable (136 patients in 3D-CRT group and 138 patients in IMRT group. Kaplan–Meier analysis was conducted to evaluate the endpoint of overall survival (OS). A Cox proportional hazards model was employed to analyze the relationship between the associated factors and the outcomes via univariate and multivariate approaches. The mean follow-up period was 36.2 months, and the median follow-up period was 23 months. For the IMRT group, the median OS was 31 months, and the 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 70.3%, 50.0%, and 42.8%, respectively, while for the 3D-CRT group, the median OS was 22 months, and the 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 63.2%, 41.0%, and 35.4%, respectively (p<0.05). The univariate analysis revealed that quit drinking, chemotherapy, and concurrent chemotherapy were significant risk factors for the prognosis of EC (p<0.05), as well as the radiation therapy technique used (p=0.052). The multivariate analysis indicated that chemotherapy and quit drinking were independent predictive factors for OS. OS is found to be significantly better in the IMRT group, compared with that of the 3D-CRT group. Even though these outcomes need further validation, IMRT should be considered preferentially as a therapeutic option for EC, in combination with chemotherapy and persuading patients to quit drinking.

Baseline cardiac risk profile determines radiation-induced cardiac toxicity in patients with mid-lower esophageal cancer

“…These benefits have resulted in improved survival rates of patients with MLEC receiving radiotherapy with the IMRT technique. 17,18 In this study, we found that the increased EAR of cardiac toxicities is mainly due to smoking and a significant family history of a heart attack.…”

Cardiac Damage Risk in Radiotherapy of Esophageal Cancer: The Importance of Baseline Cardiac Risk Profile

“…In addition, the received dose of OAR such as heart and lungs is lower in IMRT compared to 3D-CRT. These benefits have resulted in improved survival rates of EC patients receiving radiotherapy with the IMRT technique [17,18] . In this study, we found that the increased EAR of cardiac toxicities is mainly due to smoking and a significant family history of a heart attack.…”

Current and future on definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy for inoperable locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

“…Despite the fact that a retrospective study found that IMRT technology and 3D-CRT technology did not have a significant difference on 3-year OS (54.4% vs 49.6%) and progression-free survival (42.8% vs 45.8%) in patients with cervical cancer (49), more retrospective studies have found that IMRT improves local control and patient survival in EC patients compared to 3D-CRT. The study by Bai et al found significantly better 5-year OS (42.8%) in patients who received IMRT compared to 5-year OS (35.4%) in patients who received 3D-CRT (50). Similarly, Lin et al found that patients with LA-ESCC who underwent IMRT-based dCRT had a higher survival rate (51).…”