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  • Title: Endoscopic laser palliation for rectal cancer-- therapeutic outcome and complications in eighty-three consecutive patients.
    Author: Jakobs R, Miola J, Eickhoff A, Adamek HE, Riemann JF.
    Journal: Z Gastroenterol; 2002 Aug; 40(8):551-6. PubMed ID: 12297977.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVE: The treatment of advanced rectal cancer is still a challenge. We analysed the short-term success, treatment-related complications and the long-term outcome after laser palliation for rectal cancer. METHODS: Over a ten-years period eighty-three consecutive patients (median age 81 (46-94) yrs; 43 female) were treated mainly for obstructive symptoms or tumour bleeding. Laser palliation was performed using a Neodymium:Yttrium-Aluminium-Garnet (Nd:YAG) laser. RESULTS: The immediate overall-success rate was 96.4 % (80 of 83 patients) and only one female received a diverting colostomy because of an inaccessible high-grade rectal stenosis, initially. During follow-up, eight additional patients had to undergo surgery on their rectal cancer because of treatment failures (most of them recurrent obstruction) or complications (long-term success rate: 86.7 % (72 of 83 pts.)). The median survival period was nine months. Patients treated for obstruction had more treatment sessions and had a higher rate of surgical palliation in comparison to those pts. therapied for bleeding. Major complications were seen in three patients (3.6 %). One patient died after rectal perforation following bougienage before laser treatment (overall mortality: 1.2 %). CONCLUSION: Laser therapy is effective for the palliation of advanced rectal cancer with a high short-term and long-term success rate and only few complications. Laser treatment therefore is still a valuable alternative to newer endoscopic techniques and surgery.
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