Published in:
01-08-2005 | Invited update
Esophageal cancer: self-expanding metallic stents
Authors:
T. Sabharwal, J. P. Morales, R. Salter, A. Adam
Published in:
Abdominal Radiology
|
Issue 4/2005
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Excerpt
Cancer of the esophagus is now the sixth leading cause of death from cancer worldwide [
1,
2]. Most cases are detected late and are unsuitable for surgical resection. The 5-year survival rate is approximately 5% [
3,
4]. Obstruction of the esophagus leads to progressive dysphagia, malnutrition, and aspiration. Because few patients can expect extended survival, the treatment goal for these patients is palliative [
3‐
6]. Several nonsurgical palliative techniques are available to recanalize malignant obstruction, but the most rapid relief of symptoms is with the use of esophageal stents. Other therapeutic modalities include endoluminal laser therapy, photodynamic therapy, argon beam, bipolar electrocoagulation, ethanol injection, and brachytherapy, although their use often depends on local availability and expertise. …
