Endoscopy 2003; 35(1): 79-85
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-36418
Expert Approach Section
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Metal Stents for Tumors of the Distal Esophagus and Gastric Cardia

P.  D.  Siersema 1 , N.  Marcon 2 , N.  Vakil 3
  • 1Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
  • 2St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • 3University of Wisconsin Medical School, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
02 January 2003 (online)

Introduction

More than 50 % of patients with cancer of the esophagus and gastric cardia have incurable disease at presentation and require palliative treatment for dysphagia. Placement of a self-expanding metal stent has become the treatment of choice for the majority of these patients. As the incidence of adenocarcinoma of the distal esophagus is rising rapidly [1], it is likely that deployment of metal stents across the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) will increase. However, stenting of tumors of the distal esophagus and gastric cardia constitutes a particular problem. In comparison with stents placed for more proximally located esophageal tumors, these procedures provide inferior palliation and may have a higher complication rate [2].

The aim of this review on metal stenting of obstructive tumors in the distal esophagus and gastric cardia is to describe the problems encountered, the types of stents currently in use, the outcome of stenting and the occurrence and possible causes of complications.

References

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P. D. Siersema, M.D.

Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology · Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam

P.O. Box 2040 · 3000 CA Rotterdam · The Netherlands ·

Fax: + 31-10-4634682

Email: siersema@mdl.azr.nl