title: Nd:YAG laser as a therapeutic option in the management of gastrointestinal cancer.
abstract: We report the use of ELT utilizing an Nd:YAG laser in a group of patients with cancer who represented a significant surgical risk. Effective palliation was achieved, with minimal morbidity, and the quality of life of most of our patients was preserved or enhanced, at a minimal physiologic cost. In carefully selected patients, ELT has proved to be a safe and highly effective procedure for the management of gastrointestinal cancers. It should be considered a valuable addition to the treatment armamentarium of the practicing clinician dealing with patients with advanced cancers or patients with significant medical conditions precluding surgical resection.
authors.affiliation: Medical Center of Delaware, Wilmington.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ide
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Herrera
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Dosluoglu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D005260:Female; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care