Malignant Bowel Obstruction in Patients With Recurrent Ovarian Cancer. (April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tran, Elizabeth; Spiceland, Clayton; Sandhu, Nicole P.; Jatoi, Aminah
• Is Part Of: American journal of hospice & palliative care. Volume 33:Number 3(2016)
• Page Start: 272
• Page End: 275
• Publication Date: 2016-04
• Subjects: ovarian cancer -- bowel obstruction -- morbidity -- end of life; Hospice care -- Periodicals; Palliative treatment -- Periodicals; 362.175
• DOI: 10.1177/1049909114566225
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1049-9091

Abstract

We sought to report incidence, risk factors, and survival related to bowel obstruction in 311 ovarian cancer patients with recurrent disease. A total of 68 (22%) had a documented bowel obstruction during their cancer course, and 49 (16%) developed it after cancer recurrence. Surprisingly, 142 (45%) fit into an "unknown" category (3+ months of data lacking from last contact/death). No risk factors were identified; management included surgery (n = 21), conservative measures (n = 21), and other (n = 7). Documented bowel obstruction was not associated with a statistically significant reduction in survival after cancer recurrence. In conclusion, although bowel obstruction occurs in only a subgroup of patients with ovarian cancer and does not appear to detract from survival after cancer recurrence, limited end-of-life information may be resulting in an underestimation of incidence.