Endoscopic microwave coagulation for treatment of a case of unresectable esophageal cancer

Abstract

A 71-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with dysphagia. X-ray examination revealed an 11 cm-long stenosis of the esophagus, and a biopsy specimen revealed poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. The patient underwent 60 Gys of radiation therapy for primary esophageal tumor. Endoscopic and X-ray examinations revealed a significant diminution in the lesion, so she was discharged.
Six months later, the patient returned to our hospital with dysphagia.
We applied endoscopic microwave coagulation therapy (EMCT) for the esophageal stricture. After 4 sessions of EMCT therapy, significant improvements were seen in symptoms and in endoscopic and X-ray findings.
We concluded that EMCT can be used accurately and safely as palliative treatment for malignant stricture of the esophagus.