ABSTRACT
A fistula is an abnormal communication between two internal organs or between the skin and an internal organ. Fistulas may be classified according to the amount of the output: low output, moderate output, and high output. Esophageal fistulas may be classified as esophagorespiratory and esophagocardiovascular. Esophagocardiovascular fistulas are very rare in cancer patients and also include the aortoesophageal fistula, which is mainly caused by the rupture of a thoracic aneurysm into the esophagus, and the esophagocardiac fistula. Pancreatic fistulas are more frequently external and are usually complications due to upper abdominal invasive procedures on the pancreas or surrounding area and occur in 6%–25% of pancreaticoduodenectomies. Intestinal fistulas are classified as internal, external, or mixed; the most common are external. Colonic fistulas, although considered uncommon, can also be classified as external, internal, and mixed. Bronchopleural fistulas are often correlated to pneumonectomy in treating lung cancer.
