[Palliative therapy of esophagus cancer with an endoscopically implanted endoprosthesis]

In the western world esophageal cancer accounts for only 2% of all cancers. With either surgical treatment or radiotherapy, the 5-year survival rate is no higher than 10%, and with a combination of the two about 20%. Palliation is the only alternative in most cases, and aims at minimizing dysphagia. This can be achieved by endoscopic implantation of a silastic tube through the neoplastic stricture, irrespective of the general condition of the patient. The recently developed flexible Dumon set offers considerable advantages over the traditional Nottingham introducer, and allows gentle implantation even in difficult cases.