Malignant Esophagogastric Junction Obstruction: Efficacy ofBalloon Dilation Combined with Chemotherapy and/or Radiation Therapy

Purpose: To assess the efficacy ofballoon dilation combined with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapyfor palliation of dysphagia due to malignant esophagogastric junctionstrictures. Methods: Fluoroscopically guided balloondilation was attempted in 20 patients. The causes of strictures weregastric adenocarcinoma (n = 10) and esophageal squamouscell carcinoma (n = 10). Scheduled chemotherapy and/orradiation therapy followed balloon dilation in all patients. Results: There were no technical failures or majorcomplications. After balloon dilation, 15 (75%) patients showedimprovement of dysphagia. No patient complained of reflux esophagitisduring the follow-up period. Among the 15 patients, seven needed nofurther treatment for palliation of dysphagia until their deaths. Theremaining eight patients underwent repeat balloon dilation(n = 4) or stent placement (n = 4)3–43 weeks (mean 15 weeks) after the initial balloon dilation becauseof recurrent dysphagia. Conclusion: Balloon dilationcombined with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy seems to be an easyand reasonably effective palliative treatment for malignantesophagogastric strictures.