Laser photocoagulation in the palliative treatment of upper digestive tract tumors

The efficacy and safety of laser photocoagulation in the palliative treatment of patients with esophageal and gastric cancer was evaluated in a series of 15 patients. Fourteen patients suffered from adenocarcinoma and 1 from carcinosarcoma. In esophageal tumors, obstruction was present in 6, bleeding in 1, and obstruction and bleeding in 3. Gastric bleeding necessitated treatment in five. All patients suffered from severe end-stage disease. Luminal patency was restored in five patients with esophageal obstruction. Hemostasis was achieved in all bleeding esophageal and gastric cancers. Favorable response was also obtained in two of the three patients with a combination of esophageal obstruction and bleeding. The beneficial effect was remarkable; only a few laser sessions over a short period were needed. All patients could be discharged at short notice, and further laser treatment could be continued on an outpatient basis. Major complications were not encountered. The results in the patients show that laser photocoagulation can be a useful, efficacious, and safe tool in palliation for obstruction and/or bleeding in the upper intestinal tract.