Drainage Alone or with Anti-Tumor Therapy for Obstructive Jaundice Caused by Recurrence and Metastasis

Obstructive jaundice is a cumbersome complication in patients with advanced solid malignancies. The primary tumors associated with obstructive jaundice include primary biliary tract tumors, pancreatic tumors, tumor of the ampulla of Vatter, and tumor of the duodenum. However, obstructive jaundice can be caused by metastasis to the porta hepatic from many different tumors such as gastric , colon, and breast cancer (Burke et al., 2003; Dambraukas et al., 2003). It may cause refractory symptoms and often impedes further use chemotherapy (Iruarrizaga et al., 2011). Drainage or stenting of an obstruction can relieve symptoms and restore serum biochemistry to normal. Improvement in liver function by biliary drainage may provide symptomatic relief and allow for antitumor therapies, including transhepatic chemoembolization (TACE) and chemotherapy (Cui et al., 2012; Li et al., 2012; Mao et al., 2012; Kong et al., 2012; Xiong et al.,