Self-expanding prostheses as a palliative method in treating advanced colorectal cancer

This work presents the results of the use of self-expanding prosthesis as a definitive palliative method for eliminating colorectal obstructions caused by advanced and unresectable tumours.

A total of 41 cases were included (29 men, 12 women) with an average age of 70.12 years (range 46-95 years). All cases were showed symptoms of acute intestinal obstruction. Wallstent prostheses were inserted.

Locally unresectable colorectal tumours were disseminated in five cases, metastasis in 28 cases and other tumours in eight cases. In all patients the appropriate insertion was performed, eliminating the obstruction in 38 (92.6%) cases in 24-96 h. The morbidity rate was 6/41 cases (14.6%) with slight rectal discomfort in five and one case of bleeding. Posterior tolerance of the prostheses was good.

Two spontaneous rejections, three episodes of subocclusion because of faecal impact and two obstructions caused by an invasion of tumours occurred. Overall, 33 cases (80.4%) died within 1-18 months, average of 4.5 months survival.

Wallstent endoprostheses is a good alternative avoiding a colostomy and providing a good tolerance and comfort for the patient until death.