目的探索高龄患者食管癌手术治疗与食管支架治疗的疗效,寻找最佳治疗方案,提高治疗质量。方法对1995年9月～2002年11月收治的60例高龄食管癌患者进行回顾性分析。结果治愈20例,好转36例,死亡4例。手术治疗42例,支架治疗18例。结论食管支架治疗的短期疗效比手术治疗好,但远期疗效差。手术治疗仍是高龄食管癌的首选治疗方式。对于失去手术机会或不愿意手术治疗的患者以及术后食管再狭窄和出现食管胸膜瘘的患者进行食管支架置入,是提高患者生活质量的有效手段。 Objective To explore the efficacy of esophageal cancer surgery and esophageal stent treatment in elderly patients, to find the best treatment plan and improve the quality of treatment. Methods From September 1995 to November 2002, 60 cases of elderly patients with esophageal cancer were retrospectively analyzed. Results 20 cases were cured, 36 cases improved, 4 cases died. Surgical treatment of 42 cases, 18 cases of stent treatment. Conclusion The short-term effect of esophageal stent treatment is better than surgical treatment, but the long-term curative effect is poor. Surgical treatment is still the preferred treatment of advanced esophageal cancer. Stenting of esophageal stents for patients who have lost their chance of surgery or are not willing to undergo surgical treatment, as well as postoperative esophageal restenosis and esophageal pleural fistula, is an effective means of improving the quality of life of patients.