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Study Papers | Radiotherapy and Oncology | Volume 15 Issue 4, April 2026 | Pages: 24 - 25 | India
Role of Radiotherapy in Survival Outcomes and Dysphagia Relief in Carcinoma Esophagus: A Retrospective Institutional Study
Abstract: Introduction: Carcinoma esophagus is an aggressive cancer with poor outcomes due to late presentation. GLOBOCAN 2022 reports approximately 511,054 new cases and 445,391 deaths annually. The 5-year survival remains low, and squamous cell carcinoma is the predominant histology in India. Aims and Objectives: To assess overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), pathological complete response (pCR) in patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy followed by surgery, and dysphagia relief in carcinoma esophagus, and to compare outcomes across different treatment approaches. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 50 patients with histologically proven carcinoma esophagus treated with radical, neoadjuvant, adjuvant, or palliative intent. OS was calculated from diagnosis to death or last follow-up, and DFS from completion of definitive treatment to recurrence. pCR was assessed in patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery. Dysphagia improvement was evaluated clinically during follow-up. Results: Most patients were above 45 years, with female predominance. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common histology, and the lower thoracic esophagus including the gastroesophageal junction was the most frequently involved site. Median follow-up was 12.5 months. Overall median OS and DFS were 12.1 months and 8.3 months, respectively. In the radical treatment group (28 cases), 5 patients were alive at last follow-up, with median OS and DFS of 13.5 months and 11 months. In the neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy group (19 cases), 10 underwent surgery, achieving pCR in 6/10. Among 9 patients who did not undergo surgery, 2 were alive and 7 had died during follow-up. Median OS and DFS were 13.5 months and 11 months. Dysphagia improved to Grade I among surviving patients. Conclusion: Radical treatment provided effective disease control, while neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery showed favourable pathological response, highlighting differences between both treatment approaches.
Keywords: esophageal cancer, survival outcome, neoadjuvant therapy, chemoradiotherapy and surgery, dysphagia relief
How to Cite?: Dr. Vidyasagar A, Dr. Surendra M, Dr. P. B. Ananda Rao, "Role of Radiotherapy in Survival Outcomes and Dysphagia Relief in Carcinoma Esophagus: A Retrospective Institutional Study", Volume 15 Issue 4, April 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 24-25, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=MR26310112008, DOI: https://dx.dx.doi.org/10.21275/MR26310112008