Clinical outcome and indications for palliative gastrojejunostomy in unresectable advanced gastric cancer: multi-institutional retrospective analysis

Palliative Surgery for Patients with Gastroesophageal Junction or Gastric Cancer: A Report on Clinical Observational Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Few studies have focused on palliative surgery in patients with advanced gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) or gastric cancer. We sought to evaluate clinical observational outcomes following palliative surgery in this population.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with GEJ or gastric cancer who underwent palliative surgery (1/2010-11/2022) were identified. The primary outcomes were symptom improvement, ability to tolerate an oral diet, discharge to home, 30 "good days" without hospitalization, and receipt of systemic treatment. Postoperative outcomes and survival were secondarily evaluated.

RESULTS

Among 93 patients, the median age was 59 (IQR 47-68) years, and the median Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG-PS) was 1 (range 0-3). The most frequent indication for palliative surgery was primary tumor obstruction [75 (81%) patients]. The most common procedures were feeding tube placement in 60 (65%) and intestinal bypass in 15 (16%) patients. A total of 75 (81%) patients experienced symptom improvement. Of these, 19 (25%) developed recurrent and 49 (65%) developed new symptoms. ECOG-PS was significantly associated with symptom-free time. Among those who underwent a bypass, resection, or ostomy creation for malignant obstruction, 16 (80%) tolerated an oral diet. Postoperatively, 87 (94%) were discharged home, 72 (77%) had 30 good days, and 64 (69%) received systemic treatment. Postoperative complications occurred in 35 (38%) patients, and 7 (8%) died within 30 days. The median survival time was 7.7 (95% CI 6.4-10.40) months.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with incurable GEJ or gastric cancer can benefit from palliative surgery. Prognosis and performance status should inform goals-of-care discussions and patient selection for surgical palliation.

State of the scientific evidence and recommendations for the management of older patients with gastric cancer

Gastric cancer is one of the most frequent and deadly tumours worldwide. However, the evidence that currently exists for the treatment of older adults is limited and is derived mainly from clinical trials in which older patients are poorly represented. In this article, a group of experts selected from the Oncogeriatrics Section of the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM), the Spanish Group for the Treatment of Digestive Tumours (TTD), and the Spanish Multidisciplinary Group on Digestive Cancer (GEMCAD) reviews the existing scientific evidence for older patients (≥65 years old) with gastric cancer and establishes a series of recommendations that allow optimization of management during all phases of the disease. Geriatric assessment (GA) and a multidisciplinary approach should be fundamental parts of the process. In early stages, endoscopic submucosal resection or laparoscopic gastrectomy is recommended depending on the stage. In locally advanced stage, the tolerability of triplet regimens has been established; however, as in the metastatic stage, platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-based regimens with the possibility of lower dose intensity are recommended resulting in similar efficacy. Likewise, the administration of trastuzumab, ramucirumab and immunotherapy for unresectable metastatic or locally advanced disease is safe. Supportive treatment acquires special importance in a population with different life expectancies than at a younger age. It is essential to consider the general state of the patient and the psychosocial dimension.

Efficacy and long-term prognosis of gastrojejunostomy for malignant gastric outlet obstruction: A systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Gastrojejunostomy (GJ) is becoming a standard surgical treatment for ameliorating malignant gastric outlet obstruction (MGOO). However, data on the long-term outcomes of MGOO treatment are lacking. This network meta-analysis aimed to compare overall survival (OS) rates and subsequent anticancer treatment outcomes of GJwith other therapies in MGOO.

METHODS

We searched four electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, from inception to August 1, 2022. Studies reporting OS associated with GJ versus other treatments for MGOO were selected. The study was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The primary outcome assessed was OS, whereas the secondary outcome was subsequent anticancer treatment. We performed a Bayesian network meta-analysis to produce hazard ratios (HR) and odds ratios (OR) with 95% credible intervals (CrIs).

RESULTS

We identified 24 retrospective studies that included 2473 patients. The studies assessed the outcomes of six treatments to alleviate MGOO. Results showed that GJ (hazard ratio: 0.83, 95% CrI: 0.78-0.88) was the most effective treatment for patients with MGOO, with the greatest surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) values (79.9%) versus non-resection, palliative chemotherapy (13.9%) in terms of OS. Similarly, GJ (SUCRA: 46.5%) improved subsequent anticancer treatment requirements, ranking second only to jejunostomy/gastrostomy (JT/GT) (SUCRA: 95.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrates that GJ improves OS and follow-up treatments versus other non-resection treatments in patients with MGOO. These findings may serve for selecting appropriate therapy for MGOO.

Outcomes of endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastro-enterostomy for gastric outlet obstruction in a two-centre Australian Cohort (with video)

PURPOSE

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastro-enterostomy (EUS-GE) is a relatively novel technique that has been shown to require less re-intervention than standard endoscopic enteral stenting for gastric outlet obstruction and is less invasive, quicker, and more cost-effective than surgery. This study evaluated the outcomes and safety of EUS-GE in patients treated for gastric outlet obstruction across two Australian centers.

METHODS

Retrospective data on demographics, presenting symptoms, disease, endoscopic and clinical outcomes, and safety were collected on all patients who underwent EUS-GE from 2021 to 2022. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate outcomes and safety and survival were calculated using Kaplan-Meier analysis.

RESULTS

Eleven patients underwent EUS-GE during the defined period, 10 of whom had a malignant etiology (median age 73 years, interquartile range [IQR] 13; 63.6% male). Technical success was 90.9%. Of those patients, clinical success (the ability to tolerate at least a full liquid diet during follow-up) was 100%. The median length of hospital stay post-procedure was 6 days (IQR 14 days). No severe adverse events occurred, and one patient (10%) required a repeat endoscopy. Median survival post-EUS-GE was 298 days (95% confidence interval 0-730.1 days) CONCLUSION: EUS-GE is an effective, safe, and durable therapy for patients with gastric outlet obstruction. This study presents Australian data on outcomes and safety that is comparable to international literature. EUS-GE should be considered for patients where local expertise allows.

Therapeutic Endoscopic Ultrasound: Current Indications and Future Perspectives

The transcendence of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) from diagnostic to therapeutic tool has revolutionized management options in the field of gastroenterology. Through EUS-guided methods, pancreaticobiliary obstruction can now be utilized as an alternative to surgical and percutaneous approaches. This modality also allows for gallbladder drainage in patients who are not ideal operative candidates. By utilizing its unique imaging capabilities, EUS also allows for drainage access points in cases of gastric outlet obstruction as well as windows to ablate pancreatic cystic lesions. As technical progress continues to evolve, interventional gastroenterology continues to push the envelope of minimally invasive therapeutic procedures in a multidisciplinary setting. In this comprehensive review, we set out to describe current indications and innovations through EUS.

Is vagotomy necessary in palliative surgery for incurable advanced gastric cancer?: a retrospective case-control study

BACKGROUND

The interplay between the nervous system and cancer plays an important role in the initiation and progression of gastric cancer. Few studies have presented evidence that the sympathetic nervous system inhibits the occurrence and development of gastric cancer while the parasympathetic nervous system promotes the growth of gastric cancer. To investigate the effect of vagotomy, which is the resection of a parasympathetic nerve innervating the stomach, on the progression of gastric cancer, a retrospective study was conducted comparing the prognosis of simple palliative gastrojejunostomy (PGJ) and palliative gastrojejunostomy with vagotomy (PGJV).

METHODS

From January 01, 2000, to December 31, 2021, the medical records of patients who underwent PGJ or PGJV because of gastric outlet obstruction due to incurable advanced gastric cancer at the Yeungnam University Medical Center were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups: locally unresectable gastric cancer (LUGC) or gastric cancer with distant metastasis (GCDM), according to the reason for gastrojejunostomy, and factors affecting overall survival (OS) were analyzed.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in surgical outcomes and postoperative complications between the patients with PGJV and patients with PGJ. In univariate analysis, vagotomy was not a significant factor for OS in the GCDM group (HR 1.14, CI 0.67-1.94, p value 0.642), while vagotomy was a significant factor for OS in the LUGC group (HR 0.38, CI 0.15-0.98, p value 0.045). In multivariate analysis, when vagotomy is performed together with PGJ for LUGC, the OS can be significantly extended (HR 0.25, CI 0.09-0.068, p value 0.007).

CONCLUSIONS

When PGJ for LUGC was performed with vagotomy, additional survival benefits could be achieved with low complication risk. However, to confirm the effect of vagotomy on the growth of gastric cancer, further prospective studies using large sample sizes are essential.

Technical feasibility and clinical success of direct "free hand" EUS-guided gastroenterostomy in patients with gastric outlet obstruction

Background and study aims  Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastroenterostomy (EUS-GE) with lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS) appears to be a promising intervention in management of gastroduodenal out obstruction (GOO), particularly for patients for whom surgery is high risk or in a palliative setting. This study aimed to evaluate the technical feasibility, procedure-associated adverse events (AEs), and clinical outcome of direct "free hand" EUS-GE. Patients and methods  This retrospective two-center study included patients who underwent direct "free hand" EUS-GE (April 2017 to March 2021) investigating technical success (correctly placed LAMS), clinical outcome (successful oral nutrition), and management of procedure-associated AEs. "Free hand" was defined as the use of the electrocautery enhanced stent delivery system alone without additional guidewire-assistance for EUS-GE creation. Results  Forty-five patients (58 % women/42 % men; mean age 65 years) with malignant (n = 39), benign (n = 4) or unclear (n = 2) GOO underwent direct "free hand" EUS-GE. The technical success rate was 98 % (44/45). Of the patients, 95% (42/44) had less vomiting and increased ability to tolerate oral food intake after the intervention. In one patient, a second EUS-GE was necessary to achieve sufficient clinical improvement. Procedure-associated AEs were observed in 24 % (11/45) of cases including stent misplacement (n = 7), leakage (n = 1), development of a gastrojejunocolic fistula (n = 1), and bleeding (n = 2), which could be all managed endoscopically. Conclusions  Direct EUS-GE has a favorable risk-benefit profile for patients with GOO, showing high technical success rates, manageable AEs, and rapid symptom relief.

EUS-guided gastroenterostomy versus surgical gastroenterostomy for the management of gastric outlet obstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and study aims  Surgical gastroenterostomy (SGE) has been the mainstay treatment for gastric outlet obstruction (GOO). The emergence of endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastroenterostomy (EUS-GE) presents a less invasive alternative for palliation of GOO. We conducted a comprehensive review and meta-analysis to compare the effectiveness and safety of EUS-GE compared to SGE. Methods  Multiple electronic databases and conference proceedings up to April 2021 were searched to identify studies that reported on safety and effectiveness of EUS-GE in comparison to SGE. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) of technical success, clinical success, adverse events (AE) and recurrence, and pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) of procedure time and post-procedure length of stay (LOS) were calculated. Study heterogeneity was assessed using I ² and Cochran Q statistics. Results  Seven studies including 625 patients (372 EUS-GE and 253 SGE) were included. EUS-GE had lower pooled odds of technical success compared with SGE (OR 0.19, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.06-0.60, I ² 0 %). Among the technically successful cases, EUS-GE was superior in terms of clinical success (OR 4.73, 95 % CI 1.83-12.25, I ² 18 %), lower overall AE (OR 0.20, 95 % CI 0.10-0.37, I ² 39 %), and shorter procedure time (SMD -2.4, 95 % CI -4.1, -0.75, I ² 95 %) and post-procedure LOS (SMD -0.49, 95 % CI -0.94, -0.03, I ² 78%). Rates of severe AE (0.89, 95 % CI 0.11-7.36, I ² 67 %) and recurrence (OR 0.49, 95 % CI 0.18-1.38, I ² 49 %) were comparable. Conclusions  Our results suggest EUS-GE is a promising alternative to SGE due to its superior clinical success, overall safety, and efficiency. With further evolution EUS-GE could become the intervention of choice in GOO.

Single session endoscopic ultrasound-guided double bypass (hepaticogastrostomy and gastrojejunostomy) for concomitant duodenal and biliary obstruction: A case series

BACKGROUND

Concomitant malignant biliary and gastric outlet obstruction can be difficult to manage endoscopically with traditional endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and luminal stenting. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided hepaticogastrostomy (HG) and gastrojejunostomy (GJ) are novel techniques that can relieve both obstructions in a single session. This study aims to describe the outcomes of combined, single session EUS-HG and EUS-GJ.

METHODS

This is a two-center retrospective study of consecutive patients who underwent same session EUS-HG and EUS-GJ. The primary outcome was technical success. Secondary outcomes included adverse events (AE), reduction in total serum bilirubin, length of hospital stay (LOS), and re-intervention rates.

RESULTS

A total of 23 patients underwent EUS-HG and EUS-GJ (12 males, mean age 66.4 years). Twenty-one were performed for malignant obstruction. Technical success was 100% and 95.6% for HG and GJ, respectively. All patients subsequently tolerated a soft diet and 72.7% (16/22) of patients had a 50% reduction in bilirubin post-procedure. The median LOS for the 17 patients who were not discharged home immediately following the procedure was 2 (range 1-20) days. There were five AEs (2 mild, 3 moderate). Only three patients required reintervention (interventional radiology-guided biliary drainage, stent exchange for a benign biliary stricture, and placement of a second stent through an occluded distal common bile duct stent) over a median follow-up of 78 days. One patient with pancreatic cancer underwent successful tumor resection.

CONCLUSION

Single session EUS-guided double bypass (HG and GJ) is technically feasible and safe when conducted by experienced endosonographers. Larger, comparative studies are needed.

Endoscopic Ultrasound Guided Gastroenterostomy: What Is the Learning Curve?

INTRODUCTION

Endoscopic ultrasound guided gastroenterostomy (EUS-GE) is a minimally invasive option for gastric outlet obstruction. It requires skills in endoscopic ultrasound, fluoroscopy, and lumen-apposing metal stent deployment. The aim of this study was to determine the learning curve for EUS-GE.

METHODS

Consecutive patients undergoing EUS-GE by a single operator were included from a prospective registry over 3 years. Demographics, procedure info, postprocedure follow-up data, and adverse events were collected. Nonlinear regression and cumulative sum analyses were conducted for the learning curve. Clinical success was defined as tolerating a diet postprocedure.

RESULTS

Twenty-three patients were included (39% male, mean age 65.8 y). Technical success was achieved in 22 (96%) patients. Clinical success was achieved in 21/22 (95%) patients. Average follow-up time 10.8 months (9.1 SD). Five patients had minor postprocedure complications; 1 patient had a periprocedural esophageal tear treated with clips. Four patients required repeat intervention for stent revision or removal if no longer needed.Median procedure time was 88 minutes (range: 45 to 140 min). Cumulative sum chart shows 88-minute procedure time was achieved at the seventh procedure indicating efficiency. Even with bridging of a misdeployed lumen-apposing metal stent, the procedure duration further reduced with consequent procedures indicating continued improvement with experience (nonlinear regression P<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopists experienced in EUS-GE achieve a reduction in procedure time over successive cases, with efficiency reached at 88 minutes and a learning rate of 7 cases. Misdeployed stents that require bridging add to the procedure time even after competency is achieved but do not affect the overall learning curve trend.

Endoscopic ultrasound guided gastrojejunostomy for gastric outlet obstruction

Gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) is a clinical syndrome secondary to luminal obstruction at the level of the stomach and/or duodenum. GOO can be caused by either benign or malignant etiologies, often resulting in early satiety, nausea, vomiting and poor oral intake. GOO is associated with decreased quality of life and has been shown to significantly impact survival in patients with advanced malignancies. Traditional treatment options for GOO can be broadly divided into surgical [surgical gastrojejunostomy (GJ)] and endoscopic interventions (dilation and/or placement of luminal self-expanding metal stents). While surgical GJ has been shown to provide a more lasting relief of symptoms when compared to luminal stenting, it has also been associated with a higher rate of adverse events. Furthermore, many patients with advanced metastatic disease are not good surgical candidates. More recently, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided GJ has emerged as a potential alternative to traditional surgical and endoscopic approaches. This review focuses on the new advances and technical aspects of EUS-GJ and clinical outcomes in the management of both benign and malignant disease.

[Factors affecting survival prognosis of advanced gastric cancer and establishment of a nomogram predictive model]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the factors affecting the survival of patients with advanced gastric cancer and establish a reliable predictive model of the patients' survival outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

We retrospectively collected the clinical data from patients with advanced gastric cancer treated in our department between January, 2015 and December, 2019. Univariate survival analysis was carried out using Kaplan-Meier method followed by multivariate Cox regression analysis to identify the factors associated with the survival outcomes of the patients. The R package was used to generate the survival rates, and a nomogram was established based on the results of multivariate analysis. The calibration curves and C-index were calculated to determine the predictive and discriminatory power of the model. The performance of the nomogram model for predicting the survival outcomes of the patients was evaluated using receiver- operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and decision curve analysis (DCA).

OBJECTIVE

Univariate analysis showed that the number of metastatic sites, the number of treatment lines received, disease control rate (DCR) and progression-free survival (PFS) time following first-line treatment, and surgical treatment in first-line treatment were significantly correlated with the survival time of the patients (P < 0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that surgical treatment, number of treatment lines, PFS time following first-line treatment and peritoneal metastasis, as independent prognostic factors, were significantly correlated with the patients' survival (P < 0.05). The C-index of the nomogram was 0.785 (95%CI: 0.744-0.826) for overall survival of the patients. The calibration curves showed that the actual survival rate of the patients was consistent with the predicted survival rate. The time-dependent AUC and DCA demonstrated that the nomogram had a good performance for predicting the survival outcomes of patients with advanced gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVE

Peritoneal metastasis is associated with s shorter overall survival time of patients with advanced gastric cancer, while a PFS time following first-line treatment of more than 7.0 months and third-line and posterior-line treatments are related with a longer survival time. Systematic treatment including elective surgery can improve the survival outcomes of the patients. The nomogram we established provides a reliable prognostic model for evaluating the prognosis of patients with advanced gastric cancer.

EUS-guided gastroenterostomy versus enteral stenting for gastric outlet obstruction: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and study aims  Endoscopic and surgical techniques have been utilized for palliation of gastric outlet obstruction (GOO). Enteral stenting (ES) is an established technique with high clinical success and low morbidity rate. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastroenterostomy (EUS-GE) is a novel approach that aims to provide sustained palliation of GOO. We conducted a comprehensive review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness in terms of clinical and technical success, as well as the safety profile of EUS-GE and ES. Methods  We searched multiple databases from inception through July 2020 to identify studies that reported on safety and effectiveness of EUS-GE in comparison to ES. Pooled rates of technical success, clinical success, and adverse events (AEs) were calculated. Study heterogeneity was assessed using I 2 % and 95 % confidence interval. Results  Five studies including 659 patients were included in our final analysis. Pooled rate of technical and clinical success for EUS-GE was 95.2 % (CI 87.2-.98.3, I 2  = 42) and 93.3 % (CI 84.4-97.3, I 2  = 59) while for ES it was 96.9 % (CI 90.9-99, I 2  = 64) and 85.6 % (CI 73-92.9, I 2  = 85), respectively. Pooled rate of re-intervention was significantly lower with EUS-GE i. e. 4 % (CI 1.8-8.7, I 2  = 35) compared to ES, where it was 23.6 % (CI 17.5-31, I 2  = 35), p = 0.001 . Pooled rates of overall and major AEs were comparable between the two techniques. Conclusion  EUS-GE is comparable in terms of technical and clinical effectiveness and has a similar safety profile when compared to ES for palliation of GOO.

Palliative Gastrectomy versus Gastrojejunostomy for advanced Gastric cancer with outlet obstruction: a propensity score matching analysis

Background

Gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) is a late complication of advanced gastric cancer, and it is controversial how to select the therapeutic strategies: gastrojejunostomy and palliative gastrectomy? Therefore, this study was to compare the surgical and survival outcomes of gastrojejunostomy and palliative gastrectomy.

Methods

In total, 199 gastric cancer patients with outlet obstruction treated by surgery between January 2000 and December 2015 at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into gastrojejunostomy group and palliative gastrectomy group. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to balance the selection bias.

Results

After 1:1 PSM, a total of 104 patients were included for final analysis. The median overall survival (OS) times in the gastrojejunostomy group and palliative gastrectomy group were 8.50 and 11.87 months, respectively (P = 0.243). The postoperative complication rates in the gastrojejunostomy group and palliative gastrectomy group were 19.23% (10/52) and 17.31% (9/52), respectively (P = 0.800), and no treatment-related death was observed. Multivariate analysis showed that periton0eal seeding (P = 0.014) and chemotherapy (P < 0.001) were independent prognostic factors. Among them, peritoneal seeding was a risk factor and postoperative chemotherapy was a protective factor.

Conclusions

Our results indicated that although the surgical complications of palliative gastrectomy were manageable, it showed no survival benefit. Therefore, relieving obstruction symptom, improving patients’ quality of life and creating better conditions for chemotherapy appear to be the main therapeutic strategies for advanced gastric cancer with GOO.

Clinical Review of EUS-guided Gastroenterostomy (EUS-GE)

Gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) refers to mechanical obstruction of the distal stomach or proximal duodenum and it is associated with a significant decrease in quality of life. Surgical gastrojejunostomy and self-expandable metal stents were the traditional treatment for GOO. Recently, endoscopic ultrasound guided gastroenterostomy (EUS-GE) has emerged as a third therapeutic option for patients with GOO. Most EUS-GE techniques utilize the placement of a lumen-apposing metal stent under echoendoscopy but differ in the method of localizing the jejunal loop prior to EUS puncture. Data supporting EUS-GE have been promising. Case series including 10 or more cases showed the technical success rate to be approximately 90%. Clinical success is achieved in approximately 85-90% and a less than 18% risk of adverse events is reported. EUS-GE was associated with a lower recurrence of GOO and need for re-intervention when compared to enteral stenting. In addition, EUS-GE shows significantly fewer adverse events compared with surgical gastrojejunostomy. In conclusion, EUS-GE provides symptom relief without the risks of surgical intervention and the limited patency of enteral SEMS placement. EUS-GE is an exciting new option in the management of GOO. Despite the excellent results, randomized studies comparing these different modalities of treatment for GOO are needed before EUS-GE can be accepted as standard of care.

Superiority of Gastrojejunostomy Over Endoscopic Stenting for Palliation of Malignant Gastric Outlet Obstruction

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) in patients with malignancies causes nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, malnutrition, and dehydration. Endoscopic placement of self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) and gastrojejunostomy are the 2 main palliative options. We aimed to compare the outcomes of endoscopic SEMS placement with gastrojejunostomy in a propensity score matched study and identified factors associated with clinical success.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with malignant GOO who underwent endoscopic SEMS placement (n = 183) or gastrojejunostomy (n = 127) from 2011 through 2017 at a tertiary academic medical center. Clinical success was defined as successful resumption of oral intake and relief of obstructive symptoms after either procedure. A propensity score matched analysis was conducted to compare clinical success rate, luminal patency duration, survival length, and adverse outcomes. We performed multivariable analyses to identify factors associated with clinical success.

RESULTS

Proportions of patients with clinical success did not differ significantly between the SMES group (79.4%) and the gastrojejunostomy group (80.1%) (P = .83). The mean patency duration and survival lengths were significantly longer in the gastrojejunostomy group (169.2 and 193.4 days respectively), compared to the endoscopic stenting group (96.5 and 119.9 days respectively). Poor performance status, presence of ascites and low albumin were independent risk factors for failure of enteral stenting and gastrojejunostomy.

CONCLUSIONS

In a retrospective analysis of patients with GOO, due to cancer, who underwent endoscopic SEMS placement or gastrojejunostomy, we found gastrojejunostomy to provide significant increases in patency duration and survival time. Gastrojejunostomy should therefore be considered the primary treatment option for patients with good performance status and reasonable survival expectancy. Nutritional status, the absence of ascites, and pre-procedure performance status are associated with clinical success.

Palliative radiotherapy in symptomatic locally advanced gastric cancer: A phase II trial

To evaluate the response and quality of life of palliative gastric radiotherapy in patients with symptomatic locally advanced gastric cancer. Patients with bleeding, pain or obstruction and were treated with palliative gastric radiotherapy to a dose of 36 Gy in 12 daily fractions. The primary outcomes were symptom response rates. Secondary outcomes included overall survival, adverse events and proportion of patients with ≥10‐point absolute improvement in the fatigue, nausea/vomiting and pain subscales in the EORTC Qualify of Life Questionnaire C30 (EORTC QLQ‐C30) and dysphagia/pain subscales in the gastric specific module (STO22) at the end of RT and 1 month after the completion of radiotherapy. Fifty patients were accrued. Median survival duration was 85 days. 40/50 patients (80%) with bleeding, 2/2 (100%) patients with obstruction and 1/1 (100%) patient with pain responded to radiotherapy. Improvements fatigue, nausea/vomiting and pain subscales of the EORTC QLQ‐C30 was seen in 50%, 28% and 44% of patients at the end of RT and in 63%, 31% and 50% of patients 1 month after RT. Improvements in dysphagia/pain subscales of the STO22 was seen in 42% and 28% of patients at then end of RT and 44% and 19% of patients 1 month after RT. Two patients (5%) had grade 3 anorexia and gastritis. Palliative gastric radiotherapy was effective, well tolerated and resulted in improvement in fatigue, dysphagia and pain at the end of radiotherapy and 1 month after the completion of radiotherapy in a significant proportion of patients.

Top Ten Tips Palliative Care Clinicians Should Know About Interventional Symptom Management Options When Caring for Patients with Gastrointestinal Malignancies

Patients diagnosed with advanced stages of gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies are often quite symptomatic, with symptoms primarily related to anatomic sites of obstruction. Endoscopic approaches to the palliation of GI malignancies have begun to overtake surgical approaches as first line in interventional management. We brought together a team of interventional gastroenterologists and palliative care experts to collate practical pearls for the types of endoscopic interventions used for symptom management in patients with GI malignancies. In this article, we use a "Top 10" format to highlight issues that may help palliative care physicians recognize common presentations of advanced GI malignancies, address interventional approaches to improve symptom burden, and improve the quality of shared decision making and goals-of-care discussions.

Multicentre observational study of quality of life after surgical palliation of malignant gastric outlet obstruction for gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Quality of life (QoL) is a key component in decision-making for surgical palliation, but QoL data in association with surgical palliation in advanced gastric cancer are scarce. The aim of this multicentre observational study was to examine the impact of surgical palliation on QoL in advanced gastric cancer.

METHODS

The study included patients with gastric outlet obstruction caused by incurable advanced primary gastric cancer who had no oral intake or liquid intake only. Patients underwent palliative distal/total gastrectomy or bypass surgery at the physician's discretion. The primary endpoint was change in QoL assessed at baseline, 14 days, 1 month and 3 months following surgical palliation by means of the EuroQoL Five Dimensions (EQ-5D™) questionnaire and the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire gastric cancer module (QLQ-STO22). Secondary endpoints were postoperative improvement in oral intake and surgical complications.

RESULTS

Some 104 patients (23 distal gastrectomy, 9 total gastrectomy, 70 gastrojejunostomy, 2 exploratory laparotomy) were enrolled from 35 institutions. The mean EQ-5D™ utility index scores remained consistent, with a baseline score of 0·74 and the change from baseline within ± 0·05. Gastric-specific symptoms showed statistically significant improvement from baseline. The majority of patients were able to eat solid food 2 weeks after surgery and tolerated it thereafter. The rate of overall morbidity of grade III or more according to the Clavien-Dindo classification was 9·6 per cent (10 patients) and the 30-day postoperative mortality rate was 1·9 per cent (2 patients).

CONCLUSION

In patients with gastric outlet obstruction caused by advanced gastric cancer, surgical palliation maintained QoL while improving solid food intake, with acceptable morbidity for at least the first 3 months after surgery. Registration number 000023494 (UMIN Clinical Trials Registry).

Effect of age on rates of palliative surgery and chemotherapy use in patients with locally advanced or metastatic gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

This study assessed trends in the treatment and survival of palliatively treated patients with gastric cancer, with a focus on age-related differences.

METHODS

For this retrospective, population-based, nationwide cohort study, all patients diagnosed between 1989 and 2013 with non-cardia gastric cancer with metastasized disease or invasion into adjacent structures were selected from the Netherlands Cancer Registry. Trends in treatment and 2-year overall survival were analysed and compared between younger (age less than 70 years) and older (aged 70 years or more) patients. Analyses were done for five consecutive periods of 5 years, from 1989-1993 to 2009-2013. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to examine the probability of undergoing surgery. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for death.

RESULTS

Palliative resection rates decreased significantly in both younger and older patients, from 24·5 and 26·2 per cent to 3·0 and 5·0 per cent respectively. Compared with patients who received chemotherapy alone, both younger (21·6 versus 6·3 per cent respectively; P < 0·001) and older (14·7 versus 4·6 per cent; P < 0·001) patients who underwent surgery had better 2-year overall survival rates. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that younger and older patients who received chemotherapy alone had worse overall survival than patients who had surgery only (younger: hazard ratio (HR) 1·22, 95 per cent c.i. 1·12 to 1·33; older: HR 1·12, 1·01 to 1·24). After 2003 there was no association between period of diagnosis and overall survival in younger or older patients.

CONCLUSION

Despite changes in the use of resection and chemotherapy as palliative treatment, overall survival rates of patients with advanced and metastatic gastric cancer did not improve.

Palliative gastrectomy is beneficial in selected cases of metastatic gastric cancer

Background

Salvage chemotherapy is the mainstay of treatment for metastatic gastric cancer (mGC). This study aimed to clarify the effects of palliative gastrectomy (PG) and identify prognostic factors in mGC patients undergoing PG.

Methods

This was a retrospective review of 333 mGC patients receiving PG or a non-resection procedure (NR) between 2000 and 2010. Clinicopathological factors affecting the prognosis of these patients were collected prospectively and analyzed.

Results

One hundred and ninety-three patients underwent PG and 140 NR. The clinicopathological characteristics were comparable between the two groups except for metastatic pattern. There were no significant differences in postoperative morbidity and mortality between the two groups. The PG group had a significantly longer median overall survival compared with the NR group (7.7 months vs. 4.9 months). In the PG group, age ≤58 years, preoperative albumin level >3 g/dL, ratio of metastatic to examined lymph nodes ≤0.58, and administration of chemotherapy were independent prognostic factors in multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

Patients undergoing PG had better outcomes than those undergoing NR. Among the patients undergoing resection, age ≤58 years, a better preoperative nutritional status, less nodal involvement and postoperative chemotherapy independently affected patient survival.

Endoscopic approach to gastrointestinal bypass in malignant gastric outlet obstruction

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Malignant gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) is a debilitating complication of cancer associated with a poor prognosis. The primary aim in the management of malignant GOO is usually palliation starting with the reinstitution of luminal patency with either surgical bypass or enteral stenting. These traditional modalities, however, have important limitations. Endoscopic bypass is a novel approach to GOO and may be an ideal technique, in which a sustained bypass can be created through a minimally invasive approach. The goal of this review is to describe the technical aspects as well as the clinical data of endoscopic bypass.

RECENT FINDINGS

A review of this novel technique is timely given recent developments of several accessories and techniques that allow for safer and easier endoscopic bypass including the advent of the lumen apposing stent, a specialized double-balloon enteric tube, the EUS-assisted technique, and the natural orifice transluminal surgery approach. In addition, accumulating and promising data have emerged supporting the endoscopic approach to gastric bypass.

SUMMARY

Endoscopic bypass is a novel and developing field of therapeutic endoscopy with improving technique and promising clinical data. This review will help to shed light on the current status and future direction of this intricate endoscopic modality.

Cost-effectiveness of palliative surgery versus nonsurgical procedures in gastrointestinal cancer patients

Palliative care is an essential component to multidisciplinary cancer care. Improved symptom control, quality of life (QOL), and survival have resulted from its utilization. Cost-effectiveness and utility analyses are significant variables that should be considered in comparing benefits and costs of medical interventions to determine if certain treatments are economically justified. This is a review on the cost-effectiveness of palliative surgery compared to other nonsurgical palliative procedures in patients with unresectable gastrointestinal cancers. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;114:316-322. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Treatment of gastric outlet obstruction that results from unresectable gastric cancer: Current evidence

Malignant gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) is a common condition that results from locally advanced malignancies in the upper gastrointestinal tract, such as pancreatic, gastric, and other carcinomas. Two types of procedures for malignant GOO, namely, gastrojejunostomy (GJ) with laparotomy or a laparoscopic approach and endoscopic stenting (ES), are currently available. Although numerous previous reports have clarified the benefits and drawbacks of each procedure, whether GJ or ES should be used in patients with GOO that results from gastric cancer who may have a longer life expectancy than patients with other malignancies has not been determined. In this review, which focuses on gastric cancer-induced GOO, we analyzed the two systematic reviews and a meta-analysis that compared GJ and ES and outlined the current status of GOO treatment. We also provide an updated review that includes laparoscopic GJ. Various data from 13 studies in one review and 6 studies in another review were analyzed. Although the main results of the present review indicated that both GJ and ES were efficacious treatments in patients with GOO that resulted from gastric cancer, current evidence suggests that GJ may be the preferable procedure given its good performance status and improved prognosis in gastric cancer patients.

Investigation of the potential role of preoperative chemotherapy in treatment for gastric cancer with outlet obstruction

Preoperative chemotherapy is currently recognized as the recommended treatment for advanced gastric cancer. Whether there is a role of preoperative chemotherapy in the treatment for advanced gastric cancer with gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) is unknown. In order to explore the potential feasibility of preoperative chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer with GOO, and to encourage the probe into optimal treatment strategies for advanced gastric cancer with GOO in the current era of preoperative chemotherapy prevailing, a systematic literature search was conducted with a multistage process. The characteristics of the retrieved publications were summarized and the essential information was extracted. Only 11 studies associated with preoperative chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer with GOO were identified. Among them, 9 were case reports, while the other 2 were research reports of retrospective studies. None were of prospective studies. The paucity of the literature in this field is a marked finding of the present study, which reports the emerging attempts at preoperative chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer patients with GOO, as no high-quality data are available. The definite role of chemotherapy as an initial treatment for advanced gastric cancer patients with GOO remains unclear. Clinical trials are expected to be conducted in order to explore the feasibility, safety and efficacy of preoperative chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer patients with GOO.

Palliative surgery: incidence and outcomes

OBJECTIVES

To describe the goals of treatment, decision-making, incidence, and outcomes of surgical palliation in advanced cancer.

DATA SOURCES

Journal articles, research reports, state of the science papers, and clinical guidelines.

CONCLUSION

Surgical palliation is common in advanced cancer settings, and is indicated primarily in settings where the goals of treatment are focused on quality of life, symptom control, and symptom prevention. More research is needed to guide evidence-based best practices in palliative surgery.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Oncology nurses practicing in clinical and research settings have a responsibility to arm themselves with knowledge related to the indications and options of palliative procedures, and the impact of surgery on quality of life for patients and families facing advanced cancer.

Gastroduodenal outlet obstruction and palliative self-expandable metal stenting: a dual-centre experience

Background. Self-expandable metal stents (SEMs) are increasingly being utilised instead of invasive surgery for the palliation of patients with malignant gastroduodenal outlet obstruction. Aim. To review two tertiary centres' experience with placement of SEMs and clinical outcomes. Methods. Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data over 12 years. Results. Ninety-four patients (mean age, 68; range 28–93 years) underwent enteral stenting during this period. The primary tumour was gastric adenocarcinoma in 27 (29%) patients, pancreatic adenocarcinoma in 45 (48%), primary duodenal adenocarcinoma in 8 (9%), and cholangiocarcinoma and other metastatic cancers in 14 (16%). A stent was successfully deployed in 95% of cases. There was an improvement in gastric outlet obstruction score (GOOS) in 84 (90%) of patients with the ability to tolerate an enteral diet. Median survival was 4.25 months (range 0–49) without any significant differences between types of primary malignancy. Mean hospital stay was 3 days (range 1–20). Reintervention rate for stent related complications was 5%. Conclusion. The successful deployment of enteral stents achieves excellent palliation often resulting in the prompt reintroduction of enteral diet and early hospital discharge with minimal complications and reintervention.