Clinical Outcomes of Fully Covered Self-expanding Metallic Stent Placement for Palliation of Incurable Esophageal Cancer With or Without Radiotherapy

Anticancer Res. 2021 Jan;41(1):385-389. doi: 10.21873/anticanres.14787.

Abstract

Background/aim: A combination therapy of esophageal stent and chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is currently considered risky for severe complications. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of a fully covered self-expandable metallic stent (FCSEMS) placement in palliating incurable esophageal cancer before and/or after CRT.

Patients and methods: We retrospectively reviewed clinical outcomes of 64 incurable advanced esophageal cancer patients with FCSEMS placement. Forty-two of 64 patients had FCSEMS placement with RT.

Results: The rate of all of stent-related complications tended to be higher in patients who had RT, although no significant difference was observed. The stent-related deaths occurred in one patient due to hemorrhage after FCSEMS placement in the RT-negative group.

Conclusion: Palliation of dysphagia or fistulas with FCSEMS in patients with incurable esophageal cancer before and/or after RT is not associated with an increased risk of life-threatening complications.

Keywords: Self-expanding metallic stent; incurable esophageal cancer; palliation.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Deglutition Disorders / etiology*
  • Deglutition Disorders / therapy*
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / complications*
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / mortality
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Palliative Care* / methods
  • Prognosis
  • Radiotherapy
  • Self Expandable Metallic Stents* / adverse effects
  • Survival Analysis
  • Treatment Outcome