Indications of airway stenting for severe central airway obstruction due to advanced cancer.

Management of severe central airway obstruction due to advanced cancer is a medical and technical challenge. The impact of airway stenting on the clinical outcome of such patients is unclear.This single-center, retrospective study evaluated 21 patients who underwent airway stenting for advanced cancer. We examined predictors of the post-stenting mortality, including age, serum albumin, tracheal diameter, smoking, opioid use, respiratory failure, and performance status (PS). We also compared survival according to the PS.The mean survival period after stenting was 85.2 days. On univariate analysis, age, albumin, PS before airway stenting, respiratory failure, admission route, and PS grade were the candidates as possible predictors of prognosis after the procedure. On multivariate analysis, PS before airway stenting was identified as possible predictor of prognosis after stenting (HR 1.6180, 95% CI 0.969 to 2.7015, p = 0.066). The mean survival period after stenting was significantly longer in the good PS group, compared to the poor PS group (147.8 days vs. 38.2 days,p = 0.0346).Airway stenting for advanced cancer may be more effective for patients in good general condition than in those with poor performance status

Cox proportional hazards regression analysis of mortality after airway stenting: Multivariate analysis.

<p>Cox proportional hazards regression analysis of mortality after airway stenting: Multivariate analysis.</p

Weaning from mechanical ventilation after airway stenting for malignant obstruction.

<p>Weaning from mechanical ventilation after airway stenting for malignant obstruction.</p

Outcomes of airway stenting for malignant obstruction.

<p>Outcomes of airway stenting for malignant obstruction.</p

Airway stenting by metallic stent.

<p>(A) Tracheal compression from advanced esophageal cancer producing marked tracheal compression and critical airway stenosis. (B) Palliation by placement of tracheal Spiral Z stent producing immediate resolution of airway symptoms.</p