A prospective observational study examining quality of life in patients with malignant gastric outlet obstruction

Background

Gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) often complicates advanced malignancy. Palliative options include surgical bypass, endoscopic stent, percutaneous gastrostomy (PEG), or percutaneous jejunostomy (PEJ).

Methods

We enrolled 50 patients with GOO secondary to unresectable primary or metastatic cancer in a study examining palliative interventions. Validated instruments assessed quality of life (QOL) at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months following intervention.

Results

Median overall survival was 64 days. A shorter hospital stay and trend to lower mortality were observed after stent placement; solid food intake and rates of secondary intervention were comparable. Both stent and surgical bypass were associated with acceptable QOL outcomes. Fifteen patients refused participation at 1 month and 28 died of disease before 3 months, so 10 patients completed all surveys.

Conclusions

Although malignant GOO is associated with poor survival, there are reasonable alternatives for palliation. QOL studies are difficult to complete in this population due to severity of illness and short life expectancy.