With stage 3 esophageal cancer, can stents be placed to help support eating?

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Hello doctor! The 87-year-old brother was diagnosed with stage 3 esophageal cancer. Currently, he cannot eat because of choking and acid reflux. It is also difficult to drink. Can I ask, can I have a stent to help with eating and drinking if I have stage 3 esophageal cancer? If so, are there any possible adverse effects? Thank you.
Vo Thu Hang (1993)
Reply
Hello! He was 87 years old, diagnosed with stage 3 esophageal cancer, no longer indicated for surgery or chemotherapy, the only treatment for him is nutritional care and symptom relief.
He could not swallow because the lumen of the esophagus was narrow due to the compression of the tumor, in order to ensure his nutrition, he needed to create another way to bring food into the intestinal tract. The most appropriate and best way is a percutaneous gastrostomy to place a catheter to bring food into the stomach.
Esophageal stenting is also a method to help him relieve choking and can eat by mouth for a while. Then the tumor will grow again and cause the narrowing again. Gastric bypass will be longer lasting.
Therefore, you and your family should see an oncologist or take him to a hospital of Vinmec Health System for more specific advice on the issue of stage 3 esophageal cancer that can be inserted. Can stents help with eating?
Looking forward to meeting your family at Vinmec for in-depth discussions. Best regards.

Answered by Master, Doctor Pham Thi Thu Huong - Head of Department of Gastroenterology - Endoscopy - Vinmec Times City International General Hospital.