The clinical application of intra-radiation stenting for the treatment of esophageal carcinoma

Objective: To discuss the feasibility and curative effect of intra-radiation stenting (125I particle stent) for the treatment of advanced esophageal cancers. Methods: Fifteen patients with advanced esophageal cancer were enrolled in this study. Under X-ray guidance the esophageal stent, which was tied up with 125I radioactive particles, was orally inserted to the diseased region of the esophagus. The clinical manifestations and imaging findings were observed and the results were analyzed. Results: After the operation all the clinical symptoms such as dysphagia showed an obvious improvement. No serious complications such as infection, hemorrhage, radiation pneumonia, etc. occurred. The re-examination at 3-6 months after the treatment showed that the tumor size was decreased in a certain degree in 14 patients, and in the remaining one patient the lesion became bigger and grew to the upper opening of the stent, resulting in esophageal restenosis. Conclusion: The intra-esophageal implantation of radioactive stent is a feasible and safe treatment for the advanced esophageal cancers with excellent curative results. (authors)