Palliative endoscopic therapy of esophageal carcinoma
Lux, G.; Riemann, J.F.; Groitl, H.
Fortschritte der Medizin 102(11): 285-288
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0015-8178 PMID: 6201422 Document Number: 229279
Endoscopic insertion of esophageal bridging tubes provides palliative therapy in patients with inoperable esophageal carcinoma. Indications are tumor stenoses and esophago-bronchial fistulae. In 138 patients endoscopical application of bridging tubes was performed: 51 esophageal, 42 cardiac and 24 gastric carcinoma, six tumor stenoses caused by bronchial carcinoma and 15 esophago-bronchial fistulae. Letality rate was 8,5%, which is significantly less compared to operative methods. Average survival time of 120 days after implantation seems not to be prolonged despite marked improvement of symptoms, especially of dysphagia.