Radioactive Self-Expanding Stents Give Superior Palliation in Patients With Unresectable Cancer of the Esophagus but Should Be Used With Caution if They Have Had Prior Radiotherapy

This study indicated that the radiation stent had a potential benefit of a longer dysphagia relief period. However, no significant survival benefits were observed in the radiation stent group and the high incidence rate of massive hemorrhages further limited its application in patients with malignant dysphagia due to recurrent esophageal cancer.