Placement of ultraflex esophageal stent for advanced gastric cancer

AIM. The aim is to clarify the usefulness of Ultrflex stent (stent) for malignant obstruction or severe stenosis of inoperable gastric cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Fourteen cases of advanced gastric cancer were tried to insert stent. Quality of life (including their intake and discharge) and effect of hemostasis after the placement of stents were examined. The indication of the stent insertion was examined from the viewpoint of performance status (PS). RESULTS. The stents were placed successfully in 12 patients. The intake increased in 11 patients (92%) and the meal content was improved in 9 patients (75%). Anemia in 6 of 10 patients bleeding from cancer was improved, especially in the cases with pyloric stenosis their intake was remarkably improved. In patients with higher PS (PS. 0 2), the intake was more increased than that in patients with lower PS. In former group 5 patients could be discharged and 3 patients had better conditions being able to discharge. CONCLUSIONS. Placement of stents for malignant obstruction of advanced gastric cancer had improved quality of life. It was suggested that performance status before this procedure was an important index for improving determining the indication of stent insertion.