Laser therapy for esophageal cancer: results and additional endoscopic treatments

• Published in: Surgical endoscopy Vol. 8; no. 9; pp. 1096 - 1100
• Main Authors: ZITTEL, T. T, ALLGAIER, D, GRUND, K. E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Springer 01-09-1994
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aluminum Silicates; Biological and medical sciences; Combined Modality Therapy; Esophageal Neoplasms - surgery; Esophagoscopy; Esophagus; Female; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Gastrostomy; Humans; Intubation, Gastrointestinal - instrumentation; Laser Coagulation - adverse effects; Laser Coagulation - methods; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Neodymium; Palliative Care; Prostheses and Implants; Retrospective Studies; Survival Rate; Tracheoesophageal Fistula - therapy; Tumors; Yttrium; Human; Treatment; Surgery; Esophageal disease; Laser; Digestive diseases; Endoscopy; Malignant tumor; Esophagus
• ISSN: 0930-2794; 1432-2218
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00705728

Between 1/1/1988 and 5/31/1991, we treated 96 patients with laser therapy to the esophagus. In 61 inoperable patients, laser therapy has been performed initially. In 64% of these 61 patients, laser therapy alone gave sufficient relief of symptoms until death. However, in 36% of the patients, additional endoscopical interventions had to be performed. In 14 patients (23%), a prosthesis became necessary; 13 patients (21%) needed a percutaneous endoscopical gastrostomy. We conclude that laser therapy has an important role in the treatment of esophageal cancer, but in a significant number of patients, it might not be sufficient alone.