Should performance status impact stent decision-making in patients with long-term survival from advanced esophageal cancer?

We read with interest the article concerning adverse events (AEs) of self-expandable esophageal metallic stents (SEMSs) in patients with long-term survival from advanced esophageal cancer by Medeiros et al1 in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. AEs occurred in 63.5% of the 63 patients; however, they were not related to higher mortality rate, and 84.5% could be successfully managed endoscopically. Only performance status was a risk factor for AEs. The authors hypothesized that poor performance status could be associated with more aggressive biological behavior, which could explain a higher rate of AEs.

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