Malignant bowel obstruction: a review of current treatment strategies

Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2011 Dec;28(8):576-82. doi: 10.1177/1049909111406706. Epub 2011 Apr 19.

Abstract

Malignant bowel obstruction is common in individuals with intra-abdominal and pelvic malignancies and results in considerable suffering. Treatments target both the resolution of obstruction and symptom management. Emerging procedures include stents placement in the bowel to return patency and newer surgical procedures that are evolving to be less invasive. The use of medical interventions like corticosteroids, alone or in concert with additional drugs, can be utilized to achieve resolution of obstruction. Throughout treatment, it is important to also aggressively treat obstructive symptoms like pain and nausea/vomiting. This can mostly be achieved with medications, but use of venting percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) can also relieve symptoms. Parenteral hydration and nutrition use remain controversial with this population. The factor most closely tied to prognosis is performance status.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / pharmacology
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Colon / surgery*
  • Decompression, Surgical / methods
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Obstruction / complications
  • Intestinal Obstruction / etiology
  • Intestinal Obstruction / therapy*
  • Nausea / drug therapy
  • Nausea / etiology
  • Neoplasms / complications*
  • Neoplasms / therapy
  • Pain Management / methods
  • Palliative Care / methods
  • Parenteral Nutrition
  • Quality-Adjusted Life Years
  • Stents
  • Survival Analysis

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones