Evaluation of Complications and Treatment Outcomes Following Intraluminal Brachytherapy after Definitive Chemoradiation in Patients with Esophageal Cancer

Background: Limited data exist on complications and treatment outcomes following brachytherapy after chemoradiation in esophageal cancer. This study aimed to assess complications and treatment outcomes after intraluminal brachytherapy post-definitive chemoradiation. Methods and Materials: This retrospective cohort study included esophageal cancer patients treated at Imam Reza Radiotherapy Center, Mashhad, Iran (2016-2023). Patients received chemoradiotherapy with paclitaxel-carboplatin, cisplatin-irinotecan, or cisplatin-5-FU (5-6 weeks), with a total radiation dose of ≥45 Gray. After a two-week rest, they underwent HDR brachytherapy with cobalt-60 and were followed monthly for one year. Results: A total of 125 patients (mean age: 71.08±10.67 years) were evaluated. The overall survival (OS) and disease-free interval (DFI) were 47.26 and 22.62 months, respectively. The most common tumor location was the middle esophagus, and