The characteristics and effects in the treatment of esophageal cancer with intraluminal brachytherapy

Intraluminal Brachytherapy(ILBT) is one method of radiotherapy by delivering the radiation resource into the Intralumen of esophagus. ILBT has been proposed as the effective method in the treatment for superficial cancer of the esophagus. More frequently, it has been utilized as a boost after external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) in inoperable patients with localized esophageal carcinoma. ILBT with EBRT may improve local control and survival. The effect were found to be strongly correlated with tumor less than 5 cm in length or tumor confined to esophageal wall. The patients may tolerate in acute effects, and late complications may be controlled with lower single dose and reasonable total dose.