Endoscopic management of advanced oesophageal cancer

Effective palliation of dysphagia is the goal in the majority of patients with oesophageal cancer, A number ol:methods have been developed to achieve this objective; The choice of method is determined mainly by the physical characteristics of the tumour causing the dysphagia. The low complication rate, ease of insertion as a result of small delivery systems, and the large stent diameters which are achieved with self-expanding metal stents, have made these an increasingly popular alternative compared to other methods. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 10:737-739 (C) 1998 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.