Background: The insertion of self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) for palliation of dysphagia in patients with malignant stenosis of the esophagus and cardia, is a well-established procedure. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the results of esophageal stenting in terms of functioning, need of retreatment and survival after stenting.
Patients and methods: 37 patients with unresectable esophageal and cardial carcinoma treated with SEMS between January 1997 and May 2004 were retrospectively analysed.
Results: One patient died the day the stent was introduced. Otherwise, no major procedural complications were observed. The median time to repeated hospital contact was 25 days, most often due to recurrence of dysphagia. Tumor ingrowth or overgrowth was primarily treated with argon plasma coagulation (APC). Ten patients underwent repeat stent insertion. The median survival time after the first stent insertion was 88 days.
Conclusion: Insertion of SEMS in patients with inoperable carcinoma in esophagus and cardia should be regarded as a safe procedure. In our study, many patients could stay at home for months without recurrence of dysphagia that needed treatment.