Malignant Bowel Obstruction Flashcards
1
Q
Malignant Bowel Obstruction Definition
A
- Diverse clinical syndrome of bowel obstruction symptoms due to presence of intraabdominal malignancy
- usually in advanced disease
2
Q
What is the epidemiology of MBO?
A
-
Malignant causes:
- can be first presentation of cancer
- advanced cancer
- most common in gynecological (ovarian) and GI cancers
- LUNG, BREAST, MELANOMA
-
Non malignant causes:
- post surgical adhesions
- post radiation bowel damage
- IBD, hernia, etc.
- more likely in GI cancer, less likely in ovarian cancer
- less likely in advanced disease
3
Q
What is the pathophysiology of MBO?
A
-
Mechanical (most common)
- extrinsic occlusion of lumen (tumour, omental/mesenteric masses, adhesions)
- intraluminal occlusion (primary or metastatic lumen)
- intramural occlusion (intestinal linitis plastica)
-
Functional
- peritoneal carcinomatosis
- celiac plexus involvement
- cancer related neuropathy
- decreased motility from opioids, diabetes
- edema, fecal impaction, dehydration, constipation
4
Q
List common symptoms of MBO
A
- decrease or absence of propulsion of intestinal contents,
- fluid accumulation proximal to obstruction
- bowel distention, increased gut epithelial surface area, increase water and sodium into lumen
- nausea and vomiting
- Colicky pain
- Inflammatory response to damaged epithelium from distention:
- edema bowel wall
- incr PG, Vasoactive intestinal peptide,
- abdominal pain
5
Q
Differential diagnosis of MBO
A
-
Severe constipation
- hardness of feces, decreased frequency, constipating meds, inactivity, hypercalcemia, hypokalemia, hypothyroidism, dehydration
- fecal masses on abdo and rectal exam
- rectal ampulla empty but ballooned = fecal mass higher up in colon
-
Narcotic bowel syndrome
- 4% develop opioid bowel syndrome
- nausea, vomiting, mild abdo discomfort, constipation, abdo distention, weight loss
- resolves with discontinuation of opioids
6
Q
History for MBO
A
- slowly progressive
- partial obstruction often resolves spontaneously
- ischemia, perforation rare
- n/vx intermittent or continuous
- feculent to stomach contents
- Pain continous or intermittent
- constipation
- diarrhea initially with fecal material in rectum
- dry mouth. bloating, hunger, anorexia, thirst, drowsiness, dyspnea
7
Q
Physical exam for MBO
A
- Distention (some or none)
- visible peristalsis
- masses
- organomegaly
- ascites
- pain on palpation
- bowel sounds may be increased or decreased. Absent in late obstruction
- succusion splash gastric contents
- Rectal examination : masses, shelf, rock hard stool, ballooned empty rectum
- signs of dehydration
8
Q
Patterns of MBO: gastric outlet obstruction / proximal SBO
A
- Gastric outlet and proximal small bowel obstruction
- early and severe N/Vx
- large undigested food, or bile stained
- intestinal fluids (saliva, gastric juices 3L/24 hours)
- epigastric distention but no pain
- bowel movements present
9
Q
Patterns of MBO : Distal Small Bowel Obstruction
A
- nausea and vomiting moderate-severe
- moderate abdo distention
- upper/central colic
- constipation variable, occ diarrhea
10
Q
Patterns of MBO : Large bowel MBO
A
- n/vx late and small
- feculent emesis
- ++ abdo distention
- central/lower colic
- colic more mild
- hx alternating diarrhea and constipation before complete BO
11
Q
Investigations for MBO
A
- clinical dx
- plain films of abdo 30-70% sensitive
- dilated loops of bowel
- air fluid levels
- paucity of air distal to obstruction
- free air
- can be normal
- Anterograde and retrograde contrast studies 70-100% sensitive
- gastrograffin water soluble contrast (only good for prox sbo)
- barium contrast enema : congealed into colon proximal to obstruction and can increase obstruction
- CT Scan:
- 78-100% sensitive, 90% specificity
- gold standard to identifying cause, staging, planning for surgery or stenting
12
Q
Management of MBO : surgery
A
- controversial role
- Control of symptoms 40-80%, but unclear how sx measured
- Rates of reobstruction vary (10-50%)
- post operative morbidty and mortality high 5-32%
- median survival 2-11 months, not statistically different than medical mx
- Depends on:
- trajectory of disease
- comorbidities
- goals of care
- No RCTs, no guidelines
- ++ tumour burden, ascites, vital organ involvement from mets, multiple sites of obstruction are not good surgical candidates
- palliative focus
13
Q
Prognosis in MBO
A
- Mean survival time from first MBO episode
- ECOG 0-1 : 17 months
- ECOG 2-3: 7 months
- ECOG 4 : 0.7 months
14
Q
Intraluminal stents
A
- single obstruction site
- proximal gastric outlet and duodenum
- not surgical candidates
- Upper and lower bowel possible
- Cannot stent distal rectum : incontinence
- Complications: perforation, bleeding, stent migration, re-obstruction from food or tumour
Best candidates:
Short tumour length, single site near pylorus, intermediate-high PPS, prognosis > 30 days
15
Q
Medical Management : Bowel decompression
A
- NG to suction temporarily
- uncomfortable, nares erosion, nutritional deficiency, blockage, aspiration pneumonia
- may limit place of care (not supported at home)
- Venting PEG:
- high gastric / upper SB obstruction
- double lumen for venting and for fluids/meds/nutrition