Radiotherapy Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Radiotherapy, including details on cancer treatment, side effects.

Esophageal palliation--photodynamic therapy/stents/brachytherapy.

Christie NA, Patel AN, Landreneau RJ

Division of Foregut and Thoracic Surgery, Shadyside Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh, 5200 Centre Avenue, Suite 715 Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA. christiena@upmc.edu

The optimal treatment for malignant dysphagia should be safe, effective,cost-effective, and have minimal morbidity. Photodynamic therapy,brachytherapy, and esophageal stenting all represent viable options for the palliation of malignant dysphagia. Characterization of the patients and their tumors allows individualization of the treatment and the selection of the optimal treatment for each individual patient. Institutional resources and expertise also are significant factors in treatment. Further comparative studies may help further delineate the relative merits of these treatments and the optimal treatment of patients with malignant obstruction.

Published 1 June 2005 in Surg Clin North Am, 85(3): 569-82.
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