Palliative Endoscopic Therapy for Cancer Patients with Esophageal Fistula

摘要

Objective:To find an effective treatment for advanced cancer patients with esophageal fistula. Methods:From 1998 to 2006, we studied 42 patients with advanced esophageal cancer and 5 lung cancer patients with carcinomatous esophageal fistula(3 females,44 males,aged 29-92 years). Ten patients with both esophageal cancer stricture and fistula were first dilated under endoscope,then a memory stent with a membrane was placed in the esophageal lumen. Others were treated only with a memory stent with a membrane,three of them with a large fistula(diameter＞1.5 cm)were treated with bio-protein glue after placement of an esophageal metal stent.Results:The fistulas were covered by a stent and the patients could eat and drink immediately.Their quality of life was improved and their survival was prolonged, 44 out of 47 patients survived for＞3 mo. Conclusion:Placement of esophageal stent with membrane or in combination with bio-protein glue through endoscope is an effective method for treating the bronchoesophageal fistula.