[Repeated Insertion of Self-Expandable Metallic Stents as a Palliative Therapy for Unresectable Colorectal Cancer]

A 62-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for malignant rectal stricture due to metastatic rectal cancer. He underwent placement of a self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS). After the administration of 5 courses of FOLFOX4 with bevacizumab, chemotherapy-induced tumor shrinkage led to migration of the SEMS, which was removed immediately without complication. After 10 courses of chemotherapy, he had to discontinue the treatment due to liver failure resulting from tumor progression. Another SEMS was successfully inserted for the progression of rectal stenosis. The patient's QOL was maintained to the end with the SEMS. This case suggests that although it is essential to pay attention to possible complications, SEMS insertion is a very useful procedure for palliative therapy.