Application of self-expanding stents in prostate cancer with rectal involvement. Report of two cases and review of the literature.

Abstract

Rectal involvement due to local spread from prostate cancer is an uncommon finding. When this condition occurs, prognosis is ominous. Our objective is to report our experience in the use of self-expanding endorectal stents in the management of rectal invasion from prostate cancer. Two cases are presented and a review of the literature is carried out. In both cases, self-expanding Wallstent devices were placed (under fluoroscopic control), in order to solve their episodes of bowel obstruction. It was successfully performed in both patients. Therefore, an open surgery procedure was avoided. When facing the evidence of a tumor that invades the rectal wall, it is important to rule out the existence of prostate cancer (the surgical option in these patients carries an ominous prognosis). Therefore, we propose this new procedure whose results could be very satisfactory in certain settings.