Effects of Shenmai Injection Combined with Radiation on Esophageal Cancer

Objective To investigate the effect of Shenmai injection on radiosensitivity in esophageal cancer patients. Methods Sixty patients diagnosed as esophageal cancer were randomized into two groups, treatment group with radiotherapy plus Shenmai injection, and control group with radiotherapy only. Two groups were given the same radioactive dosages. Treatment group was treated with radiotherapy and Shenmai injection 60 ml + 5% glucose injection 250 ml, intravenously(iv), quaque die(qd), for 4 weeks. Results The effective rate in treatment group was signifi cantly higher than that in control group (96% vs. 73.3%) (60 Gy, P<0.05). The reliability safety, quality of life and tumor inhibitory rates in treatment group were higher than those in control group, without signifi cant difference (P>0.05). Conclusion Radiotherapy combined with Shenmai injection for esophageal cancer could improve quality of life, increase radiosensitivity and curative effects.