Stenosis of the esophagus caused by radiotherapy with cobalt to a carcinoma (2 of 2 )

Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the middle third. Radiation therapy can be an integral part of the treatment of esophageal cancer. The objective of radiation therapy to the esophagus is to kill cancer cells that could otherwise persist after therapy and cause the cancer to relapse locally. Radiation therapy may produce considerable short-term side effects such as mucositis (inflammation of the lining of the throat, mouth and esophagus), perforation of the esophagus with the development of fistulas (connections with other organs such as the trachea), infection, bleeding, xerostomia (dryness in the mouth) and fatigue. Changes to the esophagus and skin usually go away in 6-12 months. Some patients who respond to radiation therapy will develop strictures or narrowing of the esophagus that will require treatment in the future.