Intestinal obstruction is a common complication for patients with advanced cancer. For intestinal obstruction that cannot be removed surgically, patients suffer from vomiting, abdominal distension, abdominal pain, inability to eat and extreme pain.
The causes of intestinal obstruction are roughly as follows: 1. obstruction directly caused by masses, such as colon obstruction caused by colon cancer, small intestine obstruction caused by tumor metastasis and dissemination.
2.Weak peristaltic capacity of the gastrointestinal tract caused by cachexia, poor nutrition or electrolyte disorders (such as low potassium and sodium).
3.Weak peristaltic capacity of gastrointestinal tract caused by chemotherapy drugs (such as vincristine).
4, dysbiosis.
5, fecal impaction in the elderly and frail.
The pathophysiological changes of malignant tumor combined with intestinal obstruction Under normal circumstances, the total amount of fluid secreted into the intestinal cavity by human digestive glands is about 8000 ml per day. With the dilatation of the intestinal lumen and the thinning of the intestinal wall, the absorption capacity of the intestine for fluid and electrolytes decreases. The fluid and secretions accumulated at the site of obstruction further stimulate the secretion of intestinal fluid. Thus, a vicious cycle of secretion-dilation-secretion is formed. Intestinal obstruction leads to increased pressure in the intestinal lumen, resulting in impaired venous reflux in the intestinal wall, stasis of capillaries and small veins, and congestion and edema in the intestinal wall. The obstruction of blood transport in the intestinal wall leads to necrosis and perforation of the intestinal wall. A large amount of fluid accumulates in the intestinal lumen, and bacteria multiply, causing systemic pathophysiological changes. Clinical manifestations include electrolyte disorders, acid-base imbalance, reduced circulating blood volume, infection, and in severe cases, multi-organ failure and death.