ENDOSCOPIC TREATMENT OF UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL-TRACT MALIGNANCIES

Palliative endoscopic treatment of the upper gastro-intestinal (UGI) t ract includes: dilation, Nd:YAG laser photocoagulation and intubation, used alone or in combination. These procedures are usually performed on an outpatient basis and are associated with a low rate of morbidity and mortality. From 1978 to 1992, 836 patients were treated at the En doscopy Division of the Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, for inoperab le primary or recurrent malignancies of the UGI-tract. Recanalization was obtained in 96 % of patients treated; functional results have been computed according to the site and to the endoscopic method. Overall median survival was 6.2 months. The complication rate was 8 %. Relief of dysphagia is the goal of palliative treatment in patients with inop erable neoplasms of the UGI-tract.