Effects of radiation therapy on oesophageal transit in patients with inner quadrant breast tumour

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate quantitatively the effect of low doses of radiation therapy on the oesophageal transit in patients with inner quadrant breast carcinoma. Methods Eighteen female patients with locally advanced inner quadrant breast tumour were included in this study. A total dose of 5000 cGy in 25 fractions of 200 cGy was applied from four different treatment portals to all patients. Oesophageal motility was evaluated before and immediately after radiotherapy using oesophageal scintigraphy. The oesophageal transit times (ETTs) for the upper one-third, the lower two-thirds portion and the whole oesophagus were calculated. Results The upper one-third portion of the oesophagus received a mean dose of 600 cGy and the lower two-thirds portion received a mean dose of 1530 cGy as a result of 5000 cGy dose application. All of the patients developed grade 1 oesophageal toxicity. Post-radiation therapy ETT values were significantly higher compared to pre-radiation therapy ETT values (P<0.001). Before irradiation, ETT values for the upper one-third, distal two-thirds of the oesophagus and the whole oesophagus were 4.77 +/- 1.08, 11.22 +/- 2.85 and 11.61 +/- 2.97 s, respectively. After irradiation, ETT values for the upper one-third, distal two-thirds of the oesophagus and the whole oesophagus were 6.92 +/- 2.15, 23.30 +/- 5.65 and 23.74 +/- 5.70 s, respectively. Conclusions Oesophageal transit seems to be affected by radiation even without a clinically significant oesophageal symptom and oesophageal scintigraphy allows sensitive, non-invasive and quantifiable assessment of the oesophageal transit time.