The palliation of dysphagia of oesophageal-cardial carcinoma with self-expandable metal prostheses

Oesophageal cancer carries significant morbidity and mortality. The majority of patients can not be cured, thus require palliation. Endoscopic palliation of dysphagia can be achieved with bougienage, tumour ablation or placement of a stent. It has been shown that self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) are superior to plastic stents for palliation of malignant oesophageal strictures. Patients And Methods: In 2004, at our department 9 patients (2 female, mean age: 59.5 y), underwent implantation of self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) for palliation of dysphagia due to inoperable oesophageal or cardial cancer/8 cases/…