title: Palliative Endoscopic Therapy of Esophageal Cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This is a review of endoscopic therapy in the setting of palliative management of patients suffering from esophageal cancer (EC). Unfortunately, many cases of EC present in a stage of disease in which curative therapy is not possible. The maintenance of quality of life includes the ability to swallow and of oral feeding, pain control, and the prevention of bleeding.
  
  
  METHODS
  A review of the current literature was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Many endoscopic methods are available for the management of dysphagia, of which dilation, endoluminal tumor destruction, stenting, and brachytherapy are the most common.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Surgical palliation should be avoided as much as possible since the alternatives show at least the same efficacy and have fewer complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Diakonissen Speyer-Mannheim, Diakonissen Krankenhaus Speyer, Speyer, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rabenstein
keywords: APC; Argon-plasma coagulation; Esophageal cancer; Laser; Palliative endoscopic therapy; SEMS; Self-expandable metal stents