TREATMENT OF LATE STAGE ESOPHAGEAL CARCINOMA BY STENT IMPLANTATION

Objective To treat patients of esophageal carcinoma with malignant stenosis through covered stainless sleel stent implantation with radiotherapy. Methods 18 cases of advanced esophageal cancer with lumen stenosis less than 2.5 mm in diameter. Three of them had complete obstruction and 4 with fistula.Twenty nitinol stents were inserted to the site of senosis and then radiotherapy of 60 Co(DT 60～70 Gy) was given two weeks later. Results All of the patients were treated with the self-expanding stent successfully. The effect was excellent, the patients could swallow smoothly. All of the patients were radiotherapy two weeks after stent placement. No complications occurred. The postradiotherapy follow-up showed that all the patients could take foll diet. No narrowing recurrence occurred. The average servival time was 11 months. Conclusion The covered stainless sleel stent placement with radiotherapy is a safe and effective therapy for the helpful in the treatment of late stage esophageal carcinoma.