文摘
Gastrointestinal tumors and tumor-induced gastrointestinal symptoms play a significant role in the palliative treatment of tumor diseases. This implies the frequent involvement of gastroenterology in palliative medicine because of its particular expertise. Palliative treatment of pain includes systemic analgesic therapy, direct treatment of pain by neurolysis or nerve block and indirect therapy by decompression of bowel obstruction. Differentiated endoscopic techniques, such as endoscopic ultrasound-guided celiac plexus block or neurolysis, decompression of the gut by gastrointestinal tubes, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) and bridging of malignant stenoses by self-expanding metal stents are effective palliative treatment options with a low risk of complications. These techniques may help to reduce opioid medication, to increase quality of life and to reduce hospital stay and medical costs.