[Intestinal obstruction in cancer patients: results of palliative surgery].

Objective: The study aim was to investigate predictive factors related to the results, in terms of survival and quality of life, of palliative surgery in cancer patients presenting with intestinal obstruction.

Methods: A total of 109 patients already treated for a neoplasm were operated on for intestinal obstruction between 1990 and 2000. The investigated prognostic factors were age, sex, location of the primary tumour, extension of the cancer at the time of the operation and the surgical procedure carried out. The impact on the quality of life was assessed by the resumption of intestinal transit and the return home.

Results: The median survival rate was 64 days and the postoperative mortality rate 21%. The quality of life was improved in 65% of the patients. The only factors clearly correlated with survival and the success of the operation were the aetiological diagnosis of the intestinal obstruction and the type of procedure which was possible to carry out.

Conclusion: Palliative surgery may improve the quality of life of a certain number of patients, but it was not possible to demonstrate predictive factors for the selection of patients who could have the larger benefits of such surgery.