title: Palliation of dysphagia.
abstract: This article discusses the diagnosis and interventional options apart from surgical resection for carcinoma of the esophagus. Other topics discussed are methods of inserting plastic and self-expanding metal stents in conjunction with their complications, and neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet photodynamic therapy, cryoablation, and BICAP (bipolar cautery probe) options. Clinical scenarios illustrate the pros and cons of these approaches.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Cook County Hospital, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Warren
mesh_terms: D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004564:Electrocoagulation; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D006801:Humans; D010166:Palliative Care; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D015607:Stents; D014138:Tracheoesophageal Fistula / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy