Endoscopic palliation of esophageal cancer: a narrative review apart from stenting

Esophageal cancer remains the eighth-most common cancer and the sixth-most common cause of death worldwide. Prevalence within the United States alone is estimated to be 19,260 cases and expected to result in 15,530 deaths during 2021 (1). While surgery and neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiation remain an important cornerstone in the treatment algorithm for many patients with early stage and locoregional disease, most patients are diagnosed at advanced stages, and non-surgical palliative treatment modalities become an important part of the physicians’ armamentarium. Dysphagia and bleeding resulting in hematemesis and anemia can significantly impact quality of life in these patients. Endoluminal treatment options have become increasingly important, as these modalities allow dysphagia, risk of aspiration, and resulting malnutrition to be resolved to varying degrees. In this paper, we will focus on endoluminal ablative options such as photodynamic therapy (PDT) and cryotherapy. Esophageal stenting will be discussed elsewhere Review Article