Improvement of dysphagia correction method in esophageal cancer patients

The analysis of palliative treatment for patients with esophageal cancer complicated by tumor occlusion was carried out. Fifty two patients underwent fluorescent diagnosis and photodynamic therapy with the use of photosensitizer (photogem). High sensitivity and specificity rates of fluorescent diagnosis were shown and factors determining the photogem, accumulation in tumor tissue were found. Positive functional results with decrease in dysphagia grade were obtained in 80 % of patients. Complete dysphagia resolution was achieved in 30 % of cases. The main factors determining the treatment results were tumor size and initial dysphagia grade. The median survival rate was 27 weeks. Life span of patients depended mainly on the initial disease stage and immediate effect from photodynamic therapy.