Symptoms and General Pathology

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Neoplasms

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Behaviors and Mental Disorders

Jaundice

Bile Duct Neoplasms

Biliary Tract Neoplasms

Gastrointestinal Neoplasms

Digestive System Neoplasms

Bile Duct Diseases

Biliary Tract Diseases

Gastrointestinal Diseases

Quality of Life

Stent placement of a 10 French biliary plastic stent

ERCP with 10 French biliary plastic stent placement

ERCP with 11.5 French biliary plastic stent

Stuart Sherman, MD

Glen A Lehman, MD

James Frankes, MD

John Johanson, MD

Tahir Qaseem, MD

Douglas Howell, MD

Endoscopic stent insertion is considered the method of choice for palliation of malignant bile duct obstruction (MBDO). However, it can cause complications and requires periodic stent exchanges. While endoscopic stenting is clearly indicated for relief of cholangitis or refractory pruritus, its role in patients with jaundice alone is less clear. Endoscopic stenting for this relative indication might be justified, if there is a significant improvement in quality of life (QOL) of such patients. The aim of the investigators study was to determine whether endoscopic stenting for MBDO results in improved QOL.

Most malignant tumors causing bile duct obstruction, such as pancreatic adenocarcinoma, gallbladder carcinoma or cholangiocarcinoma, have an extremely poor prognosis. At the time of diagnosis the majority of these tumors will be unresectable with a median survival of 4-6 months. Palliation is the goal for those patients with unresectable tumors and limited survival and for those at high risk for attempts at curative resection.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with endoscopic stent insertion is considered the method of choice for palliative treatment of malignant bile duct obstruction (MBDO). However, it can cause complications, such as pancreatitis, bleeding, perforation, cholangitis and stent migration in a significant proportion of treated patients. Clogging of plastic stents is a predictable consequence and requires periodic stent exchanges with attendant risks and costs. While endoscopic stenting is clearly indicated for relief of cholangitis or refractory pruritus, the role of stenting in patients with jaundice alone, abdominal pain, or failure to thrive due to malignancy is less clear. Given the risk for complications and costs, endoscopic therapy might be justified in these clinical scenarios if quality of life (QOL) is significantly improved. A few available studies have demonstrated improved QOL in stented patients. However, these studies include a small number of patients and/or are retrospective in design. Therefore, more evidence to support routine palliative biliary drainage in patients with MBDO is desired.

Stenting Malignant Jaundice for Quality of Life

Endoscopic Palliation of Malignant Biliary Tract Obstruction: Emphasis on Improvement in Quality of Life

Documented change in QOL over the first month and over six months after successful biliary drainage compared with that before the procedure. The FACT-G questionnaire administered at baseline, at 1 month after stent insertion and at 180 days after stent insertion was used to assess this outcome. Change from baseline was analyzed at each of these time points separately.

An additional 10 item questionnaire was administered at baseline, at 1 month after biliary stenting and at 180 days after biliary stenting.

American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

American College of Gastroenterology

Indiana University

Spots Global Cancer Trial Database for biliary stents