[Possibilities for improving methods of radiotherapy of esophageal cancer].

The authors considered 3 variants of radiation therapy of esophageal cancer using megavoltage radiation sources: standard methods including a continuous course, optimized planning including a continuous and split irradiation course. In the use of megavoltage sources and a continuous irradiation course the 5-year survival was 8.8%.

[Effect of the time interval in preoperative irradiation on the pathomorphosis of esophageal cancer].

The study was concerned with morphologic examination of resected esophagi from patients operated on for esophageal cancer at various intervals after radiotherapy with a total dose of 40-50 Gy. A correlation was established between the level of tumor destruction and duration of the interval between the said procedures of treatment. The results of the study suggest that the above interval should be as short as possible.

[Combined treatment of cancer of the middle third of the esophagus].

The results of combined treatment of carcinoma of the mid-third of the esophagus are discussed. Optimal radiation dose appeared to be 30-40 Gy. Surgery should be performed not later than three weeks after termination of radiation treatment.