Endoscopic palliation of esophageal and cardial cancer: neodymium-yttrium aluminum garnet laser therapy

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of laser palliation on symptoms such as dysphagia and bleeding in patients with esophageal and cardial carcinomas, From November 1992 to October 1997, 174 patients with unresectable esophageal and cardial carcinomas were treated with neodymium-yttrium aluminum garnet laser therapy. The indications for palliative treatment were advanced tumor in 96 patients and high surgical risk in 78, The tumor involved the esophagus and cardia in 107 and 67 patients respectively. The mean length of the tumors was 6 cm, Two laser sessions (range 1-4) were necessary for recanalization. During the follow-up, the average interval between the laser sessions was 2 months. Overall, no early and late complications or hospital mortality occurred. The quality of palliation was excellent or good in 82% of the patients. The mean survival time was 6 months, and mortality was not related to the procedure. Endoscopic laser therapy in patients with vegetant or hemorrhagic carcinomas may represent the best therapy, with acceptable morbidity and mortality rates and satisfactory functional results.