[Palliative endoscopic therapy of esophageal carcinoma]

Endoscopic insertion of esophageal bridging tubes provides palliative therapy in patients with inoperable esophageal carcinoma. Indications are tumor stenoses and esophago-bronchial fistulae. In 138 patients endoscopical application of bridging tubes was performed: 51 esophageal, 42 cardiac and 24 gastric carcinoma, six tumor stenoses caused by bronchial carcinoma and 15 esophago-bronchial fistulae. Letality rate was 8,5%, which is significantly less compared to operative methods. Average survival time of 120 days after implantation seems not to be prolonged despite marked improvement of symptoms, especially of dysphagia.