Management of bowel obstruction in advanced and terminal cancer patients

Bowel obstruction is a common and distressing outcome in patients with abdo minal or pelvic cancer. Although surgery should be the primary treatment fo r malignant obstruction, it is now recognized that some patients with advan ced disease or in generally poor condition are unfit;for surgery and requir e alternative management to relieve distressing symptoms. A number of treat ment options are now available for the patient with advanced and terminal c ancer who develops intestinal obstruction.