Malignant bowel obstruction (MBO) is common in advanced ovarian cancer (AOC). Treatment options are limited as majority of cases present with widespread, multilevel peritoneal dissemination and platinum-resistant disease. The benefit of Parenteral Nutrition (PN) in MBO is debated, given the limited overall survival (OS) of this patient group. Aim: to identify which clinical features correlate with improved survival in AOC and MBO, to support clinical decision-making.
Retrospective review of patients admitted with MBO between April 2019 and October 2021 to a single tertiary cancer centre. Those with AOC established on PN with the aim to discharge home on PN were included. Univariate analysis for survival after commencing PN was performed using log-rank test.
103 patients with MBO were identified with 33 patients excluded (PN not initiated, 15; PN withdrawn: covid service constraint, 5, acute medical event, 13). 70 patients were successfully established on PN and 49 discharged on PN; 16 patients clinically deteriorated; 5 returned to enteral diet. Median OS of patients that did not receive PN was 19 days, PN stopped due to general deterioration 39 days and 100 days (range 18-807) for those established on PN (p<0.0001). Clinical features associated with improved OS: no prior systemic therapy (p=0.0067), platinum sensitivity (p=0.043), ECOG performance status (PS) 1 vs 2-3 (p=0.004), falling modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) during admission (p=0.0027). In the treatment naïve group, chemotherapy resolved MBO in 6/9 cases. In the pre-treated group, 60% of patients received subsequent chemotherapy (median duration 8 weeks), with early cessation due to toxicity and no clinical benefit. Only 1 patient achieved resolution of MBO on chemotherapy.
PN may improve survival of patients with AOC in MBO. ECOG PS, platinum sensitivity and mGPS trend may be useful to select patients for PN. In those presenting with MBO at AOC diagnosis, PN can enable safe delivery of chemotherapy, which usually will resolve MBO. In pre-treated patients, PN is a life-long commitment and chemotherapy is largely ineffective in resolving MBO. Further research should focus on quality of life in patients receiving PN.
The authors.
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All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.