PALLIATION OF RECTOSIGMOID NEOPLASMS WITH ND-YAG LASER TREATMENT

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Nd:YAG la ser treatment as palliation for rectosigmoid neoplasms. METHODS: Indic ations for laser therapy, the degree and duration of symptom relief, c omplication rate, and survival time were recorded in consecutive patie nts. RESULTS: Seventy-four patients entered the study. Poor general he alth in older patients, and disseminated or complicating disease were the most frequent indications for therapy. Fifty-five (74 percent) pat ients experienced good symptomatic effect from the treatment. Six comp lications occurred: five cases of perforation and one case of moderate bleeding. There was no mortality. The median survival was seven month s (range, 14 days-39 months). CONCLUSION: Laser treatment is a good pa lliative method in patients with colorectal cancer, especially in pati ents with local recurrence or symptoms from nonresected tumors.