In Search of the Optimal Outcome Measure for Patients with Advanced Cancer and Gastrointestinal Obstruction: A Qualitative Research Study

Background: Gastrointestinal obstruction (GIO) is the most common indication for palliative surgical consultation in patients with advanced cancer. The purpose of this study is to delineate the symptom burden and experience of these patients. Patients and Methods: Twenty patients with advanced cancer and GIO described symptoms at time of surgical consultation. We analyzed the content of interview transcripts and ranked symptoms by frequency and according to an assessment of relevance conducted by an expert panel (surgeons, palliative care physicians, nurses, and patients/caregivers). Results: Among the 20 study patients, malignancy types included colorectal (n = 9), gastric (n = 4), urothelial/renal (n = 3), and other (n = 4), whereas sites of obstruction were the small bowel (n = 11), gastric outlet (n = 3), and large bowel (n = 6). Thirteen patients (65%) had received chemotherapy within 6 weeks. Imaging evidence of a primary/recurrent tumor was documented in 13 patients (65%), carcinomatosis in 11 (55%), and ascites in 16 (80%). Thirty patient symptoms were identified on qualitative interviewing. Seven GIO-specific items were identified as relevant by the expert panel and will be added to the core symptom assessment inventory for further testing. Conclusions: We identified symptoms of importance that can be used to assess outcome after treatment of patients with advanced cancer and GIO. Testing for validity and reliability will be required before formal survey development.