Palliative external beam radiotherapy for dysphagia management in advanced esophageal cancer: a narrative perspective

Abstract Esophageal cancer is a highly aggressive disease with a poor prognosis, significantly impacting patients’ quality of life through symptoms such as difficulty in swallowing, malnutrition, and overall deterioration in health. Palliative care plays a crucial role, as median survival in advanced cases is typically limited to only a few months. This mini paper evaluates palliative treatment options for the management of swallowing difficulties, including self-expanding metal stents, internal radiation therapy, external beam radiation therapy, and combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy. It aims to clearly define the clinical significance and role of external beam radiation therapy as a palliative treatment option for swallowing difficulties in advanced esophageal cancer. Combining radiation therapy with chemotherapy or exploring novel radiation fractionation schedules may further improve treatment outcomes. The perspective summarizes recent clinical reports on the use of external beam radiation therapy in the palliative management of swallowing difficulties, compares its effectiveness with other treatment modalities, and discusses its potential to improve patient care through integrated therapeutic approaches and emerging strategies.