Endoscopic palliative treatment for esophageal and gastric cancer: Techniques, complications, and survival in a population-based cohort of 948 patients

Under the auspices of the Scottish Audit of Gastric and Esophageal Cancer, we investigated treatment techniques, complications, and survival in a population-based cohort of patients undergoing endoscopic palliative therapy for esophageal or gastric cancer. A total of 948 patients undergoing endoscopic palliative therapy were identified prospectively and followed for a minimum of 1 year. Expandable metal stent placement (506 patients) and LASER (117 patients) were the most frequently used treatment options. Stent placement was more common for grade 3 or 4 dysphagia. Delivery of endoscopic palliative therapy varied by region of residence (from 18% to 38% of patients, p < 0.001) but not by deprivation category. Complications were recorded in 16% of patients (155 of 948). Overall survival was 40% (95% confidence interval [CI], 36-43) at 6 months, 17% (95% CI, 14-19) at 12 months, and 10% (95% CI, 8-12%) at 18 months. These data define the reality of endoscopic palliative therapy for patients with advanced esophageal or gastric cancer and provide a baseline against which future improvements in care can be measured.