Post-radiation esophagitis with formation of esophageal stricture: a rare clinical observation

Post-radiation esophagitis occurs fairly rarely, affecting less than 1 % of the patients who underwent a course of radiation therapy. Non-specific complaints of dysphagia and/or painful swallowing are reported by at most 2 % post-radiation-therapy patients (with a total focal dose of ≤50 Gy) and by up to 15 % patients (>60 Gy). Post-radiation esophagitis may develop after irradiation of the thorax for esophageal, pulmonary, breast cancer, lymphoma, or metastatic affection of bones. The prognosis and severity of esophagitis are evaluated according to the FARE criteria (Fukui Acute Radiation Esophagitis). In the event of strictures and symptoms of dysphagia, endoscopic balloon dilation is indicated.