# Palliative Stenting for Gastric Outlet Obstruction Secondary to Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

## TL;DR

This paper discusses using endoscopic stents to improve quality of life for late-stage pancreatic cancer patients with gastric outlet obstruction.

## Contribution

Presents palliative endoscopic stent placement as a minimally invasive alternative to gastrojejunostomy for gastric outlet obstruction in advanced pancreatic cancer.

## Key findings

- Endoscopic stent placement is a viable palliative option for gastric outlet obstruction in pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
- Patients with advanced pancreatic cancer often experience poor quality of life due to gastric outlet obstruction symptoms.
- Further research is needed to determine which patients benefit most from endoscopic stent placement.

## Abstract

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most fatal malignancies due to its advanced stages at the time of presentation. Often, it is only diagnosed when patients present with late-stage complications, such as gastric outlet obstruction (GOO). Many patients experience a poor quality of life due to the side effects of GOO, such as persistent nausea, vomiting, and an inability to tolerate an oral diet, and as such, patients deteriorate quickly after their diagnosis. Because pancreatic cancer is diagnosed at advanced stages, many patients are not surgical candidates, and thus treatment is tailored for palliative measures. With GOO specifically, gastrojejunostomy has been the mainstay of palliative management; however, endoscopic stent placement is a new, innovative, and minimally invasive alternative option. Herein, we present a case of GOO as a complication of pancreatic adenocarcinoma, treated with palliative endoscopic stent placement. Further research is warranted to identify patients who would most benefit from this modality of palliation in the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer.