[Palliative retrosternal reconstruction in cancer of the esophagus]

Among patients presenting with a cancer of the esophagus, only a third will have a theoretical radical resection. Out of our management: 1 - By pass with operatory abdominal and cervical check up--2 - Chemotherapy--3 - Total esophageal resection by thoracotomy, 29 patients get through the first stage only, which is then considered as a palliation method. Results obtained about the degree of palliation, i.e. quality of life, pathologic incidences, mortality rates are compared with other methods.