Efficacy and safety of self-expanding metal stents in patients with inoperable esophageal cancer: a real-life study

Background: Dysphagia is the most frequent symptom in patients diagnosed with esophageal cancer. Self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) are current palliative treatment of choice for dysphagia non-curable This study aimed to evaluate efficacy and adverse events (AEs) different types SEMS palliation dysphagia. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort advanced cancer placement tertiary care center. The primary outcome was clinical success defined as an improvement (reduction at least 2 points Mellow–Pinkas scoring system dysphagia) after placement. Results: Between January 1999 May 2020, 295 were identified. Among them, 75 had palliation. mean age 61.3 years (standard deviation: 13.4), 69 (92%) men, pre- post-SEMS 3.1 1.4 (change from baseline −1.7), respectively. Technical achieved 98.6% 58.9%, AEs identified 35/75 (46.7%), migration AE 22/75 (29.3%). There no significant differences ( p = 0.054), weight changes 0.78), 0.73) among fully covered (fc-SEMS) partially (pc-SEMS). median follow-up 89 days (interquartile range: 29–221). Conclusion: associated rapid dysphagia, high technical success, modest major fc-SEMS pc-SEMS.