Esophageal Lumen Restoration
Piotr Obarski1* and Janusz Włodarczyk2
1MD, Department of Thoracic Surgery and Surgical Oncology, John Paul II Hospital, Cracow, Poland
2MD, PhD, Department of Thoracic Surgery and Surgical Oncology, John Paul II Hospital, Cracow, Poland; Jagiellonian University, Collegium Medicum, Cracow, Poland
*Corresponding Author: Piotr Obarski, MD, Department of Thoracic Surgery and Surgical Oncology, John Paul II Hospital, Cracow, Poland.
Published: November 21, 2023
DOI: 10.55162/MCMS.05.179
Abstract
Esophageal cancer is the eighth most common cancer worldwide. The prognosis for patients with esophageal cancer is poor, with published data indicating only about 12-39% of patients surviving for five years following radical treatment. As more than 50% of patients with esophageal cancer are beyond the reach of radical treatment at the time of diagnosis, palliative management becomes a fundamental approach. Several techniques for restoring the esophageal lumen have gained recognition, including mechanical methods such as esophageal dilation and stenting, as well as ablative techniques like photodynamic therapy, laser therapy, and cryotherapy. Treating patients with advanced esophageal cancer or those deemed unfit for surgery poses a significant challenge. An individualized approach to patient care requires a comprehensive understanding of various therapeutic methods. Therefore, this paper seeks to present current knowledge on available methods for alleviating esophageal obstruction in patients suffering from dysphagia due to esophageal cancer.
Keywords: Esophageal cancer; Palliative treatment; Esophageal lumen restoration; Esophageal stenting; Ablative techniques
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