Second line prevention from esophageal cancer inhibitory therapy to block precancerous lesions

Abstract

In 1983, for the purpose of prevention from esophageal cancer, inhibitory therapy was put on trial in Heshunxiang of Linxian (County), a high incidence area of esophageal cancer in China, to block cancerous changes in the esophageal precancerous lesions, with an expectation of cutting down the cancerous change rate of severe esophageal dysplasia by 50%. 6758 inhabitants aged 40–65 were examined by exfoliative cytology, 1728 and 2412 cases of severe and mild esophageal dysplastic patients were screened out. The former cases were randomized into 3 groups, to which antitumor B (Chinese herbs), retinamide I and placebo were given respectively. The mild dysplastic patients were randomly divided into 2 groups, to which riboflavin and placebo were given respectively. Medication rate was over 90%. Esophageal cytological check up examination was performed 3 years after the beginning of medication, with a check up examination rate as high as 94.1%. The results showed that the cancerous change rate in the antitumor B group was 3.9%, with a fall of 53% when compared with the control group (8.3%), with a significant statistical difference (X²=7.673, P<0.05). The esophageal cancerous change rate, when campared with the control group, fell by 33.7% and 19% in the retinamide I and riboflavin groups respectively. The regression rate in the therapeutic groups were also higher than that of the control groups. Therefore, the inhibitory effect of antitumor B is well confirmed, and this method is worthwhile to be popularized in high risk areas of esophageal cancer.