An integrated crossing balloon catheter comprising: a catheter shaft having a proximal end , a distal end , a proximal end portion proximate the proximal end , and a distal end portion proximate the distal end ; a hub assembly secured to the proximal end of the catheter shaft ; an inflatable balloon secured to the distal end of the catheter shaft ; and a stiffening tube positioned over the inflatable balloon and the distal end portion of the catheter shaft in a first position, the stiffening tube configured to be advanced, in said first position, through a vasculature with the catheter shaft as a unit; wherein the catheter shaft has a length measured from the inflatable balloon to the hub assembly , and the stiffening tube has a length measured from a distal end of the stiffening tube to a proximal end of the stiffening tube , wherein the length of the stiffening tube is less than the length of the catheter shaft ; wherein the stiffening tube is translatable along the catheter shaft from said first position in which the inflatable balloon is within the stiffening tube to a second position in which the inflatable balloon is exposed from the stiffening tube ; wherein in the first position a distal end of the stiffening tube is positioned distal of the inflatable balloon and in the second position the distal end of the stiffening tube is positioned proximal of the inflatable balloon ; and wherein the stiffening tube includes an expandable region surrounding the inflatable balloon in said first position, the expandable region being expandable when subjected to a radially outward force generated by inflating the inflatable balloon against the interior wall of the expandable portion of the stiffening tube in said first position. a catheter shaft having a proximal end , a distal end , a proximal end portion proximate the proximal end , and a distal end portion proximate the distal end ; a hub assembly secured to the proximal end of the catheter shaft ; an inflatable balloon secured to the distal end of the catheter shaft ; and a stiffening tube positioned over the inflatable balloon and the distal end portion of the catheter shaft in a first position, the stiffening tube configured to be advanced, in said first position, through a vasculature with the catheter shaft as a unit; wherein the catheter shaft has a length measured from the inflatable balloon to the hub assembly , and the stiffening tube has a length measured from a distal end of the stiffening tube to a proximal end of the stiffening tube , wherein the length of the stiffening tube is less than the length of the catheter shaft ; wherein the stiffening tube is translatable along the catheter shaft from said first position in which the inflatable balloon is within the stiffening tube to a second position in which the inflatable balloon is exposed from the stiffening tube ; wherein in the first position a distal end of the stiffening tube is positioned distal of the inflatable balloon and in the second position the distal end of the stiffening tube is positioned proximal of the inflatable balloon ; and wherein the stiffening tube includes an expandable region surrounding the inflatable balloon in said first position, the expandable region being expandable when subjected to a radially outward force generated by inflating the inflatable balloon against the interior wall of the expandable portion of the stiffening tube in said first position. <EOS>