title: Laser therapy of tumor stenoses in the upper gastrointestinal tract: an international inquiry.
abstract: The results of an international inquiry on palliative laser therapy of malignant inoperable stenoses in the upper gastrointestinal tract are reported. The results of the treatment of a total of 1,359 patients were collected. The data from laser users with experience in more than 50 treated patients (n = 1,184) were analyzed; 68.9% of the tumor stenoses were located in the esophagus, and 55.7% were not passable with the endoscope. The initial treatment was successful in 83.0% and the complication rate was 4.1% (49 of 1,184 patients). The mortality rate was 1.0% (12 of 1,184 patients).
mesh_terms: D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D005860:Germany, West; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods