A Controlled Trial of an Expansile Metal Stent for Palliation of Esophageal Obstruction Due to Inoperable Cancer

Abstract
Esophageal obstruction due to cancer can produce debilitating dysphagia. Rapid palliation is usually possible with endoscopic placement of a plastic esophageal prosthesis, but this device has a high rate of complications. A new alternative is a metal-mesh stent that collapses to 3 mm in diameter at placement but can then expand up to 16 mm.