Covered self‐expandable metallic stent placement for tumor bleeding from duodenal invasion in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer

TL;DR

This study examines the use of covered self-expanding stents to control bleeding in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, finding it to be a safe and moderately effective option.

Contribution

The study evaluates the safety and efficacy of covered self-expandable metallic stents for tumor bleeding in unresectable pancreatic cancer.

Findings

A hemostasis rate of 67% was achieved with stent placement in six patients.

Rebleeding occurred in 50% of the patients who initially achieved hemostasis.

Stent placement was safe, with no major complications except for food impaction in one patient.

Abstract

Patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer often present with duodenal bleeding, a potentially life‐threatening complication. In our case series of six unresectable pancreatic cancer patients with tumor bleeding, we explored the efficacy and safety of placement of a covered self‐expandable metallic stent in the duodenum as a treatment option; we achieved a hemostasis rate of 67% (4/6), with a rebleeding rate of 50% (2/4). No complications occurred with stent placement, except for food impaction in one patient. Covered self‐expandable metallic stent placement is a moderately effective treatment option for tumor bleeding in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer. Although its hemostatic efficacy is limited, covered self‐expandable metallic stent placement is safe and beneficial in some cases, warranting consideration in this disease setting with limited treatment options.

Figures