Why might I need an esophageal stent procedure?

You might need an esophageal stent for a number of health problems. Traditionally, healthcare providers have most often used esophageal stents to treat esophageal cancer. That is still the most common reason. But these stents are also used to treat:

Cancer of the top part of the stomach

Narrowing of the esophagus as it's pushed from the outside by a cancer (such as lung cancer) or enlarged lymph nodes

Narrowing of the esophagus from an ulcer

Narrowing of the esophagus from radiation treatment

Abnormal opening between the trachea (wind pipe) and esophagus

A hole in the esophagus

Any of these health problems can cause dysphagia. Dysphagia is serious because it can lead to aspiration. During aspiration, you inhale food and stomach contents into your lungs. That can lead to complications like pneumonia. Dysphagia also lowers your quality of life. An esophageal stent can help ease these problems.

Even if you have esophageal cancer, you may not need an esophageal stent. In some cases, your healthcare provider may be able to treat your cancer with surgery or chemotherapy instead. If these therapies won’t work for you, an esophageal stent may be another option. In other cases, a gastrostomy tube or jejunostomy tube might make more sense for you. These tubes go straight from your outer abdomen to your stomach or small intestine. Talk with your healthcare provider about all your treatment choices.