In a randomized study, palliative therapy of malignant esophageal and gastric stenosis was investigated by a comparison of endoscopic laser therapy (ELT) with palliative endoscopic perturbation (PEP). A total of 124 patients exhibiting a malignant stenosis in the esophagus and proximal stomach were referred to our unit between January 1, 1987, and March 31, 1990. Criteria for randomization were: (1) inoperable malignant stenosis, (2) dysphagia enabling the ingestion of semi-solid food, (3) the possibility of performing ELT and PEP, and (4) the absence of fistula formation. Only 40 patients met these criteria; the remaining 84 subjects were assigned to an escape group whose treatment consisted of ELT, PEP, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, transnasal feeding tube, radiotherapy, and endoscopic bougienage. We found no significant difference between ELT and PEP with regard to survival, food passage, or quality of life. We recommend the application of PEP in patients exhibiting advanced tumor disease and a poor general condition and favour the use of ELT combined with afterloading in patients with a life expectancy of greater than or equal to 3 months.