Different Types of Stents in Palliative Management of Malignant Biliary Obstruction

Abstract

Palliative management aims to relieve symptoms, improve quality of life, and maintain organ function in patients with advanced or incurable disease. In many malignancies, tumor infiltration or external compression may lead to obstruction of hollow organs or ducts such as the esophagus, trachea, biliary tree, ureters, colon, or vascular structures. Stents are commonly used as minimally invasive palliative tools to restore luminal patency and alleviate associated symptoms such as dysphagia, jaundice, dyspnea, or urinary obstruction. They offer rapid symptom relief, shorter hospital stay, and lower morbidity compared with surgical bypass procedures, particularly in patients with limited life expectancy. Stents vary in design, material, coating, and site of placement, and are selected based on patient condition, tumor location, and expected prognosis.