title: The use of stents in the management of malignant esophageal strictures.
abstract: The majority of patients with intrinsic or extrinsic obstructing esophageal malignancies are not treatable for cure because of an advanced tumor stage at the time of diagnosis or a recurrence after primary curative therapy. Palliative treatment is mainly directed at relieving dysphagia, which is a frequent cause of patient distress and malnutrition. The approach should be rapidly effective, safe, and well tolerated; the period of hospitalization should be limited in view of a life expectancy of only a few months.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik, Evangelisches Krankenhaus, Düsseldorf, Germany.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Neuhaus
mesh_terms: D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010166:Palliative Care; D015607:Stents