Malignant bowel obstruction and intractable diarrhea in advanced cancer are common devastating syndromes.
Apart from disease specific, causative treatment in patients with longer prognosis, there is a
possibility of conservative, non-operative symptom management in terminal phase. A successful control of
intractable vomiting and diarrhea using octreotide in two advanced cancer patients was presented, with
guidance through steps of the management. Pathophysiologic vicious circle of the bowel obstruction and
diarrhoea was described and the management algorithm was proposed. Due to the gut hyposecreting
action, octreotide occurs to be a potent and essential drug in refractory vomiting or diarrhea.Malignant bowel obstruction and intractable diarrhea in advanced cancer are common devastating syndromes.
Apart from disease specific, causative treatment in patients with longer prognosis, there is a
possibility of conservative, non-operative symptom management in terminal phase. A successful control of
intractable vomiting and diarrhea using octreotide in two advanced cancer patients was presented, with
guidance through steps of the management. Pathophysiologic vicious circle of the bowel obstruction and
diarrhoea was described and the management algorithm was proposed. Due to the gut hyposecreting
action, octreotide occurs to be a potent and essential drug in refractory vomiting or diarrhea