Self-expanding metal stents in the management of colorectal carcinoma - a preliminary report

Aims: The role of diagnostic imaging in colorectal carcinoma is in the initial diagnosis, staging and detection of complications of the disease. Seven cases of colorectal carcinoma are presented where expandable metallic stents were placed for the management of stenosing lesions in patients with advanced metastatic disease or with serious medical complications which prevented immediate surgery. Results: Seven patients (five male, two female) with an age range of 51-76 years had expandable metallic stents placed over a 9-month period. All stents were placed successfully with no immediate complications. The stents remained in situ for a range of 7-210 days. Conclusion: Expandable metallic stents can be successfully and safely placed in the colon, These stents may be useful in the management of patients with advanced metastatic disease or in those presenting with large bowel obstruction in which decompression by a stent allows treatment of coexisting medical complications to enable surgery to be carried out at a later date.