title: Palliation of rectosigmoid neoplasms with Nd:YAG laser treatment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Nd:YAG laser treatment as palliation for rectosigmoid neoplasms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Indications for laser therapy, the degree and duration of symptom relief, complication rate, and survival time were recorded in consecutive patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-four patients entered the study. Poor general health in older patients, and disseminated or complicating disease were the most frequent indications for therapy. Fifty-five (74 percent) patients experienced good symptomatic effect from the treatment. Six complications occurred: five cases of perforation and one case of moderate bleeding. There was no mortality. The median survival was seven months (range, 14 days-39 months).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laser treatment is a good palliative method in patients with colorectal cancer, especially in patients with local recurrence or symptoms from non-resected tumors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Gastroenterology F, Bispebjerg University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schulze
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Lyng
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003248:Constipation / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012811:Sigmoid Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome