Overview
QST Hospital provides curative carbon ion therapy for stage I esophageal cancer invading the submucosa as Advanced Medical Care in Japan.
Treatment options for stage I esophageal cancer
With advances in endoscopy, more esophageal cancers are found early. When cancer reaches the submucosa, the risk of lymph node metastasis rises, so endoscopic resection alone has limits, and surgery or chemoradiotherapy is mainly used. However, esophageal surgery opening the chest and abdomen is a heavy burden, and chemoradiotherapy may carry a risk of esophageal recurrence and side effects such as decreased white blood cells, pneumonia, and pericardial effusion.
Carbon ion therapy alone
Since March 2008, QST Hospital has provided curative carbon ion therapy alone, without chemotherapy, for lesions confined to the submucosa (T1b). The dose was raised step by step while confirming the absence of serious side effects, and currently 12 fractions are given. It may also be considered when surgery or chemotherapy is difficult for various reasons.
Eligibility criteria
① Cancer must be confirmed by biopsy; cases diagnosed by imaging such as MRI, CT, or PET alone are not eligible. ② The cancer must be confined to the submucosa (T1b) with no metastasis to lymph nodes or other organs.
Cases not eligible
No biopsy or the presence of metastasis; general condition such as serious complications interfering with treatment; or the physician judging treatment difficult.
Irradiation method
12 fractions are given, irradiating from front and back, one direction per day.
Side effects
Esophagitis is common during irradiation, characterized by pain when swallowing; if eating becomes difficult, IV fluids are given. The pain is worst about 2 weeks after treatment ends and gradually improves. Esophageal perforation, pneumonia, pleural or pericardial effusion, and hypothyroidism are possible but very rare.
Notice on overseas patients
QST Hospital states that it does not accept esophageal cancer patients from overseas. Original: "※The patients from overseas with breast cancer and esophageal cancer are not accepted.Please contact us for details"
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