The value of radiologically controlled stent implantation compared to hepatojejunostomy in palliative treatment of tumor induced cholestasis was examined in a non randomised retrospective study. 54 patients suffering of adenocarcinoma of the pancreas (n = 34), carcinoma of the distal bile duct (n = 10) and metastatic induced stenosis of the common bile duct (n = 10) were compared in regard to survival time, normalisation of cholestasis and complication rate. The survival time following stenting procedure (n = 31) is 6.0 months, after operation (n = 23) 7.1 months. The reduction of cholestasis showed no significant difference. The complication rate is lower (operated group 12.9%, stented group 9.6%) and the hospital stay following stenting procedure was much shorter (6.1 d vs. 18.0 d). Both a positive side effect of stent implantation.