Comparison of endoscopic laser therapy and self expanding metal stents for palliation in patients with non-resectable oesophageal carcinoma

Background

There are currently limited data on the comparative success of endoscopic laser therapy (NLT) and self expanding metal stents (SEMS) as palliative measures in patients with non-resectable oesophageal cancer. This study aims to assess and compare the outcomes of these methods of endoscopic palliation.

Methods

Patients with non-curative oesophageal/gastro-oesophageal cancers with dysphagia were identified prospectively and consented to swallow assessment and follow-up. Patients underwent SEMS or NLT at the discretion of the treating endoscopist. Initial standardised swallow scores (0–4) were assessed. All subsequent interventions were recorded as well as survival.

Results

31 patients were recruited (30M vs 8F, mean age 70.8). There was no significant difference in age, sex or chemotherapy treatment between groups. 19(61%)patients underwent NLT as primary procedure. 20(64.5%) patients required subsequent intervention(s) (median 1, range 0–8). Primary NLT patients were more likely to require subsequent therapy (p = 0.004) and multiple procedures (p = 0.001). 8(42.1%)patients initially undergoing NLT subsequently required SEMS, while no SEMS patients underwent subsequent NLT. Swallow scores of 1 or 2 were more likely to be maintained with NLT while scores of 3 or 4 were more likely to progress to SEMS (p = 0.039). Time to repeat procedure was greater in the SEMS group (p = 0.001). Median survival was 133 days for NLT vs 60 days for SEMS (p = 0.412).

Conclusion

In this series, patients selected for NLT had a trend towards longer survival, but were more likely to require repeated procedures. Those with lower early initial dysphagia scores were more likely to be maintained by NLT alone.