What Is a Stent?
7. Esophageal Stent
An esophageal stent is placed to allow the patient to continue to swallow solids and liquids. It can be made from plastic, silicone, or self-expandable metallic stents for the treatment of esophageal cancer. The placement of an esophageal stent can be performed under conscious sedation or general anesthesia.
A catheter is first passed down the back of the mouth and the stent expanded against the esophageal wall to provide additional support. Besides esophageal cancer, it can also be used for gastric cancer, cancers that cause narrowing of the esophagus, ulcers, and post treatment with radiation. Although generally safe, it can cause issues such as bleeding, pain, tumor growth into the stent, gastroesophageal reflux, stent migration, and more.
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