ABSTRACT
Esophageal cancer is often diagnosed at a late stage and hence carries a poor prognosis
with an overall 5-year survival rate of 10% to 15%. Therefore, palliative treatment
primarily aimed at the relieving dysphagia is the only available option. Endoscopic
placement of self expanding metal stents (SEMS) has become a widely used method for
palliation offering prompt relief of dysphagia and numerous reports have shown it
to be safe and effective. Secondary to tissue in-growth into the uncovered segments
of the stent, SEMS cannot be removed and hence are not approved for benign indications.
With the advent of the removable self expanding plastic stents, the indications for
esophageal stent insertion have expanded to as bridge to surgery for patients undergoing
neoadjuvant chemotherapy, for refractory benign esophageal strictures, for non- malignant
esophageal perforations, leaks and fistulae, and even for variceal hemorrhage. Newer
fully covered SEMS that are potentially removable are also being tried for benign
indications but await FDA clearance. Similarly biodegradeable stents for benign disorders
and radioactive or drug-eluding stents for malignant disease are hoped to improve
the management of esophageal diseases. The purpose of this article is to review the
expanding role of self expanding stents in the management of esophageal disorders
other than palliating malignant dysphagia and fistulae.(J Dig Endos 2011;2(1):9-14)
Keywords:
Esophageal cancer - Malignant dysphagia - Refractory benign esophageal stricture -
Esophageal perforation leaks - Fistulae - Self expanding metal stent - Self expanding
polyflex stent - Biodegradeable esophageal stent