Esophageal stents for the treatment of malignant dysphagia in patients with esophageal cancer.
Self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) are the current standard for relief of malignant esophageal dysphagia. Self-expanding plastic stents (SEPS) are also used for relief of malignant esophageal dysphagia and as neoadjuvant therapy due to their relative ease of removability. The innovations in design of both SEMS and SEPS have made their use more prevalent in patients with malignant dysphagia. We review the current literature on esophageal stents, including general concepts, indications, contraindications, SEMS and SEPS models, complications and their management, implications of tumor location, cost-effectiveness of stents in comparison with other modalities, and quality of life after stent placement.
Brimhall
Bryan
B
University of Utah, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.
Adler
Douglas G
DG
D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000601:surgery*; D004867:Equipment Design; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D011788:Quality of Life; D000069322:Self Expandable Metallic Stents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000145:classification* / Q000191:economics