Endoscopic neodymium-YAG laser palliation of nonresectable esophageal malignancy.

Seven men and five women with nonresectable esophageal carcinoma were treated endoscopically with the neodymium-YAG (yttrium-aluminum-garnet) infrared laser. Before laser fulguration, tumors were dilated directly with metal olive dilators. Before treatment, mean tumor length was 5 cm with luminal occlusion averaging more than 80%. After a mean of 3.3 treatment sessions spanning 18.5 days, all patients had substantial immediate palliation. Continued symptomatic relief was noted during follow-up (mean, 83 days; range, 8 to 206 days).