Palliation of inoperable esophageal carcinoma: A prospective randomized trial of laser therapy and stent placement

PURPOSE: A prospective, randomized comparison of the result of endoscopic laser therapy and that of placement of self-expandable metallic endoprostheses was performed to determine which method provides the best palliation of dysphagia in patients With inoperable esophageal carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients participated in the study. Twenty-three were randomly assigned to undergo plastic-covered stent placement, 19 to undergo uncovered stent placement, and 18 to undergo laser therapy. The quality of swallowing was assessed with the dysphagia score, which ranged from 0 for normal swallowing to 4 for complete dysphagia. RESULTS: The mean improvement in dysphagia score was 2 and ranged from -1 to 3 in patients who underwent placement of plastic-covered stents, was 2 and ranged from 0 to 4 in those who underwent placement of uncovered stents, and was 1 and ranged from 0 to 2 in those who underwent laser therapy. Six of 23 (26%) plastic-covered stents migrated, whereas none of the uncovered stents did so (P <.02). Tumor ingrowth through uncovered stents occurred in five of 19 patients (26%). CONCLUSION: Placement of metallic esophageal endoprostheses is substantially better than endoscopic laser therapy for palliation of dysphagia in patients with inoperable esophageal carcinoma. Use of uncovered and plastic-covered metallic stents provides equal palliation in patients with dysphagia.