Inclusion Criteria:
- cytologically or histologically confirmed esophageal carcinoma
- Tumor extension beyond muscularis propria and/or nodal involvement without evidence
of M1 disease
- Prior en bloc resection, with curative intent, of all known tumor
- No metastatic disease
- Age: > 18
- Karnofsky performance status ≥ 70
- At least 3 weeks since prior surgery
- Normal functions of heart, lung, liver, kidney and bone marrow
- Blood exams qualified for chemotherapy, which included hemoglobulin ≥9 g/dl,
neutrophil ≥1.5×109/L and platelet (PLT) ≥100×109/L, creatinine ≤1.5 UNL
- All patients must be evaluated by a radiation oncologist prior to enrollment to
ensure patient is appropriate for radiotherapy
- Informed consent signed
Exclusion Criteria:
- Patients with metastatic disease.
- Patients who are pregnant or nursing.
- Patients with poor bone marrow, liver and kidney functions, which would make
radiation therapy intolerable
- Patients with contraindication for irradiation: complete obstruction of esophagus,
deep esophageal ulcer, fistula to mediastinum, or haematemesis