Abstract
Materials: Forty-seven patients with malignant gastrointestinal tumors have been treated by using Nd-YAG laser irradiation. These cases were 12 esophageal cancers, 29 gastric cancers and 6 rectal cancers.
Method: Nd-YAG laser irradiation was performed by non-contact method. Irradiation time was 1 second at interval. The power ranged from 40 to 80 watt.
Indications: Indications of Nd-YAG laser irradiation were as follows
(1) Gastrointestinal stenosis in inoperable patients and local recurrence (Group A), (2)
Poor risk and eldrely patients (Group B), (3) Patients who rejects surgical operation (Group C).
Group A consisted of 24 cases (9 esophageal cancers, 12 gastric cancers, and 3 rectal cancers), Group B 14 cases (1 esophageal cancer, 10 gastric cancers and 3 rectal cancers) and Group C 9 cases (2 esophageal cancers and 7 gastric cancers).
Results: Excellent results were obtained in 16.7% and good results in 33.3% in group A. Symptom disappeared in two of three patients with large intestinal obstruction. Excellent result were obtained in 50% and good result in 14.3% in group B. Excellent result were obtained in 33% and good result in 11% in group C.
