Abstract

Esophageal cancers are highly malignant neoplasms. Prognosis of esophageal cancer treated by external irradiation alone is rather poor because of local recurrence and distant metastasis. Recently intracavitary irradiation has been used as a boost therapy after external irradiation to obtain better local control. One case of esophageal cancer has been treated by high dose rate remote-controlled after loading unit as boost therapy after external irradiation. The result was excellent in short term follow up esophagogram but esophageal bleeding and esophagotracheal fistula were noted in further follow up examination after inappropriate posttreatment management including insufficient chemotherapy due to poor general condition. We reviewed possible causes of esophageal bleeding and esophagotracheal fistula after external irradiation and high dose rate ICR.