Uncovered Stents May Be Preferable in Patients With Inoperable Colon Cancer

Background: 15% of colon cancer patients present with obstruction. Stenting is reasonable therapy for non-operative candidates, and stent characteristics may influence re-intervention rates and quality of life (QoL). Objective: To evaluate which stent design, covered or uncovered, is more effective (in terms of stent patency and complications) and better in improving the QoL in patients with bowel obstruction arising from colorectal cancer in the palliative setting. Design: CReST2 is a phase III, multicenter, randomized controlled trial. Participants/Methods: Adult patients who presented to one of 28 hospitals in the United Kingdom with left-sided colon obstruction from incurable colonic malignancy were randomized 1:1 to receive either a covered or uncovered stent. Patients with evidence of or pending perforation, obstruction of low or mid rectum, or those on antiangiogenic agents were excluded. Baseline QoL questionnaire was completed before stent placement. The 2 primary end points more...