Izhodišča. Paliativno zdravljenje bolnikov z neozdravljivim rakom je velik problem. Ko gre za bolnika z razširjenim rakom danke, je cilj zdravljenja preprečiti zaporo črevesa, krvavitev iz tumorja in bolečino in tako izboljšati kakovost preostalega življenja. Namen prikazane študije je bil oceniti vlogo laserja v paliativnem zdravljenju raka danke. Bolniki in metode. Od 1998 do 2005 smo z laserjem zdravili 44 bolnikov z rakom danke, ki ga ni bilo mogoče operativno zdraviti. Indikacija za zdravljenje je bila grozeča zapora, krvavitev in/ali bolečina. Rezultati. Rekanalizacijo in hemostazo smo dosegli pri 37 bolnikih, kar je v 84 %. Neuspešni smo bili pri 7 bolnikih, kar je 16 %. Opazovali smo 4 resne, vendar ne smrtne zaplete, perforacije danke z okolnim vnetjem. Vsi zapleti so bili zdravljeni konzervativno. Zaključki. Endoskopsko lasersko zdravljenje bolniki dobro prenašajo, metoda je učinkovita in varna. Je odlična metoda za paliativno zdravljenje raka danke, ki ga ni mogoče operativno zdraviti.Background. The palliative treatment of patients suffering from an incurable cancer is a common problem. In cases of advanced rectal cancer the therapeutic aims are elimination or prevention of obstruction, bleeding and pain and improvement in quality of life. The aim of our study was to evaluate the role of laser in the endoscopic palliative treatment of rectal cancer. Patients and methods. 44 patients with inoperable rectal cancer were treated with laser from 1998 to 2005. The indication for treatment included stenosis, bleeding and/or pain. Results. Recanalisation and haemostasis were achieved in 37 patients (84 %). In 7 patients (16 %) we were unsuccessful. We observed 4 serious but nonfatal complications in form of rectal perforations with inflammation. None of them needed surgical attention. Conclusions. Endoscopic laser therapy is an effective and well tolerated method in palliation of rectal cancer with low risk of complications
