Evaluation of EMS insertion and radiotherapy for malignant biliary stricture. Endoscopic bilateral hepatic drainage with wallstents

Usefulness of radiotherapy for unresectable malignant biliary obstruction was evaluated. Patients were 62 cases having inside stoma by expandable metallic stent (EMS) (male: 28 cases, female: 34 cases, mean age: 65.4-year-old (34-91)). In 6 cases of porta hepatis obstruction, bilateral hepatic drainage was tried using wallstent. Thirty-five patients received external irradiation with average of 39 (25-65) Gy, and the EMS was inserted during radiotherapy. Patency period after EMS insertion and survival time were compared with those of the group of EMS without irradiation. As for patency period of EMS, there was no significant difference between EMS group without irradiation and group with external irradiation. The 50% cumulative survival time was 132 days and 208 days, respectively. There was significant elongation of survival time in the group with external irradiation. (K.H.)