Self-expandable metal stent for palliation of malignant dysphagia & quality of life improvement in advanced cancer esophagus: Upper Egypt experience

Background In advanced cancer esophagus patients, self-expandable metallic stents (SEMS) are utilized to relieve malignant difficulty in swallowing and improve their quality of the life. Retrospectively, we evaluated the efficacy, feasibility, and outcomes of SEMS in palliation of malignant dysphagia in advanced cancer esophagus and its' complications. Methods We retrospectively reviewed data of 350 patients with malignant dysphagia due to advanced cancer esophagus from December 2012 to April 2017. They were subjected to esophageal stenting with SEMS in our GIT endoscopy unit, General and Cardiothoracic Surgery departments at Qena and Sohag University Hospitals, Egypt. Results The mean age was 56.34 + 12.44 years ranging from 30 to 85 years, and 264 of them were males. Mean duration of dysphagia was 2.90 months. SEMSs were placed successfully in all cases without major complications; however minor bleeding and retrosternal discomfort were seen. The improvement in the dysphagia score was significant. Conclusions SEMSs were safe and effective in palliation of malignant dysphagia and improvement of the quality of life in advanced esophageal cancer patients without major complications.