Laser therapy of tumor stenoses in the upper gastrointestinal tract: an international inquiry.

The results of an international inquiry on palliative laser therapy of malignant inoperable stenoses in the upper gastrointestinal tract are reported. The results of the treatment of a total of 1,359 patients were collected. The data from laser users with experience in more than 50 treated patients (n = 1,184) were analyzed; 68.9% of the tumor stenoses were located in the esophagus, and 55.7% were not passable with the endoscope. The initial treatment was successful in 83.0% and the complication rate was 4.1% (49 of 1,184 patients). The mortality rate was 1.0% (12 of 1,184 patients).