Study progress of malignant tracheoesophageal fistula / 国际肿瘤学杂志

ABSTRACT

Malignant tracheoesophageal fistula (MTEF) is pathological communication between the respiratory tracts such as the trachea or bronchia and the esophagus because of malignant tumor dissemination through them.Radiography is an important adjunctive technology in the diagnosis of MTEF,and the location and size of fistula often need the further diagnosis of bronchoscopy and esophagoscopy.The patients are often with an unfavourable prognosis once developed MTEF,and are treated usually with the aim of symptom palliation and life quality improvement.The individual treatment includes esophageal stenting,esophageal exclusion and esophagus bypass,fistula exclusion and repair,radiotherapy and others effective therapy according to the patients condition.These therapies will prolong the life span and improve the life quality of patients.MTEF is not absolute contraindication for chemoradiotherapy.Despite its acute toxicity,this concurrent chemoradiothe rapy protocol appears feasible and effective at closing esophageal malignant fistula,especially in patients in a good general condition and without metastasis.