[Three primary stents in extensive esophageal cancer]

Most patients with oesophageal cancer have unresectable disease at initial assessment. Dysphagia is the most common symptom. Laser ablation and self-expandable metal stents are among the possible treatments for dysphagia caused by oesophageal cancer. There are two types of self-expandable metal stents: covered and uncovered. Tumour can easily grow through uncovered stents. Such tumour ingrowth can be treated with laser ablation or Argon plasma coagulation.

We present a 54-year-old man with metastatic oesophageal cancer.

Because of dysphagia, self-expandable stents were inserted into his oesophagus. At the time of stent insertion, the primary tumour was 23 cm in craniocaudal direction. We inserted three stents, each 10 cm long. The patient restored normal swallowing and had no pain, dyspepsia or unpleasant sensation from his stents. Uncovered stents were used. Tumour ingrowth was treated with Argon plasma coagulation.

In this patient, with a long tumour, the use of three primary stents reduced dysphagia.