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Outcome for malignant tracheobronchial stenoses in esophageal cancer
Shinzo Takamori1, Hiromasa Fujita, Akihiro Hayashi
1Department of Surgery, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume 830-0011, Japan.
Objective:
Optimal tracheobronchial stenosis treatment in esophageal cancer remains a clinical challenge.
Methods:
Subjects were 26 patients with tracheobronchial stenosis due to esophageal cancer treated by modalities such as expandable metallic stent emplacement, laser therapy, radiotherapy, and/or chemotherapy. We assessed patient outcome and modality efficacy, and determined prognostic factors for survival using multivariate analysis.
Results:
Of the 26, 16 (61%) had improved respiration after treatment. Average posttreatment survival was 140 days (10-1550 days). Multivariate analysis indicated that a Karnofsky performance score of > or = 70% was the most significant prognostic factor, with chemotherapy and laser therapy also significant factors.
Conclusions:
Although individual modalities were effective in ameliorating respiratory symptoms, patients with good performance status survived the longest. After a tracheobronchial stenosis diagnosis in esophageal cancer patients, chemotherapy and laser therapy are recommended if the patient is in good general condition.