full free access: Malignant bowel obstruction: Individualized treatment near the end of life

Key points

Combinations of analgesics, antisecretory drugs, and antiemetics can provide acceptable symptom relief.

A venting gastrostomy should be considered if drug therapy fails to reduce nausea and vomiting to an acceptable level.

A nasogastric tube should be used only as a temporizing measure, until symptoms are controlled medically or a venting gastrostomy is placed.

Total parenteral nutrition is beneficial only in patients with intermediate life expectancy who may otherwise die of starvation rather than the cancer itself.