title: Endoscopic therapeutic esophageal interventions.
abstract: Cyanoacrylat and fibrin glue seem to be no better alternatives to ligation in the treatment of bleeding esophageal varices. Studies with photodynamic therapy (PDT) of high-grade dysplasia (HGD) and early esophageal cancer show encouraging results. The use of 5-aminolaevulinic acid (ALA) as a photosensitizer minimizes the rate of severe side effects, but only in HGD and tumors with a depth of 2 mm or less can a complete remission be achieved. The use of Lugol's iodine solution is sensible for the detection of HGD and early squamous cell cancers. Thermal ablation with Neodym:YAG laser and self-expanding metal stents are the most important modalities for palliative treatment of esophageal cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine II, HSK Wiesbaden, Wiesbaden, Germany.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: May
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ell