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Laser therapy for esophageal cancer

Results and additional endoscopic treatments

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Abstract

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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of General Surgery, Surgical Endoscopy, University Clinics of Tübingen, Germany

    T. T. Zittel, D. Allgaier & K. E. Grund

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  1. T. T. Zittel
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  2. D. Allgaier
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Zittel, T.T., Allgaier, D. & Grund, K.E. Laser therapy for esophageal cancer. Surg Endosc 8, 1096–1100 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00705728

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