Journal of International Oncology ›› 2024, Vol. 51 ›› Issue (1): 37-42.doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn371439-20230730-00004

• Original Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Clinical application of MR-guided radiotherapy based on MR-linac in esophageal cancer patients

Gao Xinyu1,3, Li Zhenjiang2, Sun Hongfu3, Han Dan3, Zhao Qian3, Liu Chengxin3, Huang Wei3()   

  1. 1. School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, China
    2. Department of Medical Physics, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250117, China
    3. Department of Radiation Oncology (Chest Section 5), Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Science, Jinan 250117, China
  • Received:2023-07-30 Revised:2023-11-20 Online:2024-01-08 Published:2024-01-23
  • Contact: Huang Wei E-mail:alvinbird@126.com
  • Supported by:
    Foundation of Taishan Scholars Young Expert(tsqn201909187)

Abstract: Objective To explore the application process, efficacy and safety of MR-guided radiotherapy based on MR-linac in esophageal cancer. Methods The clinical data of patients with esophageal cancer treated with MR-linac at Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute from September 2021 to July 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, to investigate the treatment process of esophageal cancer with MR-linac, and to analyze the efficacy and safety of patients. All patients received MR-guided radiotherapy, underwent CT and MR localization, target area delineation, and design of the Monaco treatment planning system plan. Adaptation-to-position adjustment was conducted during the pre-treatment evaluation. The median number of fractions was 25, the median single dose of planning target volume was 1.8 Gy, and the median total dose was 50.2 Gy. Median follow-up was 16 months. Results Among the 12 patients in the whole group, there were 1 case of cervical esophageal cancer, 3 cases of upper thoracic esophageal cancer, 4 cases of middle thoracic esophageal cancer and 4 cases of lower thoracic esophageal cancer, including 3 cases of neoadjuvant radiotherapy and 9 cases of radical radiotherapy. All patients had a smooth treatment process. The median treatment time was 33 min, and the patients had good compliance. For patients with radical radiotherapy, one month after radiotherapy, the number of objective remission cases was 3, and the number of disease-control cases was 9; six months after radiotherapy, the number of objective remission cases was 3, and the number of disease-control cases was 6. All patients treated with neoadjuvant radiotherapy underwent surgery within 2 months, and one patient achieved pathological complete remission. The most common acute adverse reactions were radiation esophagitis (7 cases) and leukopenia in bone marrow suppression (8 cases), with late-stage adverse reactions being radiation pneumonia (1 case). The adverse reactions to radiotherapy were slight, and no grade 4 or above adverse reactions were observed. Conclusion The clinical treatment process for esophageal cancer under MR-guided radiotherapy based on MR-linac is feasible, with good curative effects and mild adverse reactions.

Key words: Esophageal neoplasms, Magnetic resonance imaging, Radiotherapy, image-guided, Treatment outcome