For patients with late-stage esophageal cancer, therapy is based on relieving patient symptoms, with diffi culty in feeding being the most common. Traditionally, feeding tubes are placed directly into the stomach through the skin, allowing patients to receive nutrition but not experience the joy of tasting food. In the past several y ears, tubes or stents have been developed which can be placed in the esophagus, bypassing the tumor, allowing patients to eat. The drawback of these stents is that in some patients material can reflux from the stomach back into the throat and lungs, causing pneumonia. To avoid this problem, Kulwinder Dua, MD has developed a stent with a pressure-sensitive valve that prevents reflux.
Patients can now taste and enjoy their food without the problems of reflux.
Another benefit of this pressure-sensitive stent is that it allows patients to belch or vomit when necessary. Dr. Dua notes that the benef its of this stent may extend well beyond patients with esophageal cancer, but currently it is approved only for cancer-related swallowing difficulty. To le arn more about our physicians as well as upcoming educational events, visit our Division page. For information about our specialty clinics, current research, and ongoi ng clinical trials, visit our public information page. That area also includes three health quizzes to help you decide whether or not to seek medical help with a gastroenterological problem.