This study from Japan reported results of 54 esophageal cancer patients who are over 75 years old treated with PBT. 38 inoperable patients (70.4%) and 16 operable patients (29.6%). The five-year overall and cancer-specific survival rates were 56.2% and 71.7%, respectively. The five-year local control rate was 61.8%, and local recurrence occurred within 13 months in 82.4% of patients.

There was no grade 3 or higher toxicity, excluding three patients with grade 3 esophageal ulcers. The authors concluded that PBT may become an alternative treatment with lower toxicity in elderly patients with ESCC, compared to surgery or conventional X-ray radiotherapy.