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Endoscopic Palliation and Survival in Malignant Biliary Obstruction

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Abstract

Malignant biliary obstruction is a common problem that is regarded as having a poor prognosis and is usually managed with palliation. Our aim was to investigate the survival of 182 consecutive subjects with malignant biliary obstruction where management was palliative within endoscopically placed biliary stent. We undertook a retrospective longitudinal study with date of death or confirmed survival of at least 23 months, as the primary end point. Diagnosis and blood indices from the 24 hr prior to first ERCP were obtained from hospital records. Of the 182 eligible subjects follow-up of date of death or confirmed survival of at least 23 months was obtained in 181 (99.5%). Of these 181 patients, 37 (20.4%) survived for more than one year. Histological confirmation was obtained in 47 of 182 subjects (25.8%). Increased age at first ERCP predicted increased survival (P < 0.05). In conclusion, in patients with malignant biliary obstruction, where management was endoscopic and palliative, 20.4% survived for more than one year with increased age at diagnosis being the only significant predictive marker.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gastroenterology, Royal United Hospital, Combe Park, Bath, BA1 3NG, UK

    S.A. Weaver & D.A.F. Robertson

  2. Department of Gastroenterology, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK

    B.S.F. Stacey

  3. Department of Radiology, Royal United Hospital, Combe Park, Bath, BA1 3NG, UK

    S.J. Hayward

  4. Reseach Development and Support Unit, Royal United Hospital, Combe Park, Band, BA1 3NG, UK

    G.J. Taylor

  5. Department of Histopathology, Royal United Hospital, Combe Park, Bath, BA1 3NG, UK

    N.I. Rooney

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  1. S.A. Weaver
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  2. B.S.F. Stacey
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  3. S.J. Hayward
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  4. G.J. Taylor
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  6. D.A.F. Robertson
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Weaver, S., Stacey, B., Hayward, S. et al. Endoscopic Palliation and Survival in Malignant Biliary Obstruction. Dig Dis Sci 46, 2147–2153 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011950612554

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