Advances in the management of cancer-related incomplete intestinal obstruction: Therapeutic strategies and emerging interventions

Table 1 Diagnostic and therapeutic evidence for cancer-related incomplete intestinal obstruction

Category	Main intervention or finding	Key outcomes/clinical implications
Diagnostic imaging	Contrast-enhanced CT for surgical timing in acute intestinal obstruction	Identifies ischemia and perforation risk; guides operative decision-making
MRI evaluation	MRI for assessing tumor invasion depth and peritoneal spread	Provides superior soft-tissue contrast and avoids radiation; suitable for serial follow-up
Endoscopic evaluation	Capsule and double-balloon endoscopy for lesion localization and biopsy	Enables direct visualization and limited therapy; use with caution in suspected obstruction due to capsule-retention risk
Biomarker exploration	Cytokines (interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α) and intestinal-barrier markers	Potential adjuncts for diagnosis and monitoring, though clinical use remains investigational
Pharmacologic therapy (integrative)	Dahuang Fuzi decoction modulates phosphoinositide-3 kinase-protein kinase B and hypoxia-inducible factor-1 pathways	Demonstrates anti-inflammatory and pro-motility effects in pre-clinical models
Immunotherapy/targeted therapy	Neoadjuvant tislelizumab in MMR-deficient colorectal cancer with incomplete obstruction	Achieved pathological complete response; reduced obstruction severity and improved resectability
Nutritional and fluid management	Pre-operative nutritional optimization in chronic radiation enteropathy	Decreases postoperative complications; supports individualized nutrition plans
Interventional stenting	Combined intestinal stent + laparoscopic surgery in malignant obstruction	Higher short-term success and lower morbidity than emergency surgery
Minimally invasive surgery	Laparoscopic vs open colectomy for obstruction due to colon cancer	Laparoscopy shortens recovery and hospital stay without compromising oncologic safety
Multidisciplinary management	Integrated palliative-oncologic care for incurable cancer	Enhances quality of life and symptom control through team-based coordination

CT: Computed tomography; MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging; MMR: Mismatch repair.