Long-lasting stent placement in an elderly advanced ovarian cancer patient

Background Ovarian cancer is usually diagnosed at advanced stages, most often occurring in association with malignant bowel obstruction. These patients are generally in poor physical condition, therefore it is important to manage the possible bowel obstruction in order to improve patient quality of life. Patients and methods We present a case of a 75 years old woman that underwent left hemicolectomy for an ovarian carcinoma with bowel obstruction. Results Three years after hemicolectomy the patient reported an extrinsic substenosis on the anastomosis. Consequently, a self-expanding metal stent was placed, which remained in place for seven years, avoiding others surgical invasive treatments. Conclusions The placement of long-lasting stent is an important option in patients with bowel obstruction consequent to recurrent ovarian cancer, since this provides a viable alternative to surgery and increases patient quality of life.