title: Palliative dilation of esophageal carcinoma.
abstract: The authors' experience with palliative dilation of 46 consecutive patients evaluated for squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus was retrospectively reviewed. Thirty-nine of 46 patients (85%) underwent dilation in order to palliate symptoms, enable endoscopy and biopsy, or prepare for placement of an esophageal prosthesis. Thirty-two of the 46 patients (70%) were treated with radiation therapy and seven (15%) underwent placement of an esophageal prosthesis. Thirty-five of the 39 patients dilated (90%) noted improvement in swallowing, allowing resumption of a soft or regular diet. Complications were noted in three of the 39 patients dilated (8%). The authors conclude that peroral dilation is a safe, effective, and probably underutilized method of palliation in patients with squamous cell esophageal carcinoma.
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Moses
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Peura
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: L F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D004106:Dilatation / Q000009:adverse effects; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies