Objective To evaluate the efficacy of three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT) for esophageal carcinoma and identify prognostic factors in this patient group.Methods From May 2002 to Jun 2005,132 patients with unresectable or inoperable esophageal cancer were treated with 3DCRT in our hospital.Their chnical data were analyzed retrospectively.ResultsThe 1-and 2-year local control rates was 65.4% and 52.1% in the whole group,respectively.The overall 1-and 2-year survival rate was 50.7% and 32.2% ,respectively.The median survival time was 13 months.The 1-and 2-year survival rate was 56.7%and 36.7% in stageⅠ + Ⅲ ,respectively,with 35.2% and 14.7% in stage IV.The median survival time were 15 months and 9 months for stage Ⅰ +Ⅲ and Ⅳ,respectively(x2 = 8.17,P = 0.004). Of patients with stage Ⅰ + Ⅲ disease who were absent of perforation sign before radiotherapy,with lesion length less than 8.0 cm and whole course given by 3DCRT,the 1-and 2-year survival rate was 73.0% and 49.9%,respectively.Univariate analysis revealed that condition of alimentation,absence of perforation sign, short lesion length,early TNM stage were associated with good survival.Multivariate analysis confirmed that absence of perforation sign and lesion length were independent prognostic factors for survival. Conclusions 3DCRT is effective for esophageal carcinomas in terms of survival and local control.Further improvement could be achieved with muhi-modality treatment.Absence of perforation sign and lesion length are independ ent prognostic factors for survival.

Objective To compare the safety of laparoscopic live donor nephreetomy(LDN) and open live donor nephrectomy(ODN), evaluate the kidney function and blood pressure of living donors during 1 year follow-up. Methods Thirty cases of LDN and 30 eases of ODN were retrospectively reviewed. The operation time, warm ischemia time, operative blood loss, time to post-operative intake and time to ambulation of the 2 grouups were compared. According to the modified Clavien classifica-tion system procedure-related complications were described and compared. Serum creatinine(SCr) le-vels, blood pressure and 24-h urine protein excretion were measured before nephreetomy and 1 d, 7 d, 3 months, 6 and 12 months after nephrectomy. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were measured preo-pratively and at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. These data were statistically analyzed. Results The operation time was (98. 6+13. 6)rain and (96.3+19. 5)rain in the LDN and ODN groups, re- spectively. Warm ischemia time in the LDN group was (90.6±15.1)s, in the ODN group was (86.4±12.3)s. Operative blood loss was (105.2±634.8)ml and (206.3±126.4)ml in the LDN and ODN groups(P<0.01). For the time to post-operative intake and time to ambulation, LDN group was (28.5±2.9)h and (25.8±63.8)h, ODN group was (38.6±63.3)h and (36.5±65.3)h(P<0.01). Perioperative complications rates were 6.6%(2/30) and 23.3%(7/30) for LDN and ODN, respective-ly. SCr was (109.1±7.5), (105.4±69.5), (96.6±10.7), (89.4±11.5), (91.6±69.3)/zmol/L in the LDN group and (107.3±69.6), (103.3±68.4), (95.4±69.1), (90.5±13.6), (90.3±11.7)μmol/L in the ODN group 1 day, 7 days, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after nephrectomy. The mean GFR of LDN and ODN was 64.7 and 65.8 ml/min at 6 months after nephrectomy, 65.9 and 67.5 ml/min at 12 months postoperatively, which were significantly different comparing with preoperative mean GFR in each group(P<0.05) but no significant difference was found between 6 months and 12 months after nephrectomy and between the 2 groups at the same time point respectively(P>0.05). Mean 24 h protein excretion was elevated after either LDN or ODN during 1 year followup, but was not significantly different either between predonation and 1 year after nephrectomy or between the 2 groups at the same period. Blood pressure increased or decreased slightly with the duration of follow-up,no significant blood presure changes were found before and after nephrectomy or between the two groups at the same period postoperatively. Conclusions LDN has the advantages of minimal trauma, less operative blood loss and quicker convalescence. It is safe and and has no adverse effects regarding kidney function and blood pressure during the first year after living kidney donation comparing to ODN.