Management of malignant esophageal stricture with esophageal dilation and esophageal stents

Esophageal dilation and stenting are time-honored in the palliative management of obstructing esophageal cancer. Guidewire-directed esophageal dilation is safe and effective, but the duration of symptomatic improvement may be relatively brief. Esophageal stenting is the preferred treatment for occlusion of tracheoesophageal fistulae, but has significant procedure-related morbidity and mortality. Experimental silicone-coated esophageal stents may represent a significant advance in the management of malignant esophageal obstruction.