Current Oncology Reports

, Volume 9, Issue 4, pp 278–284 | Cite as

Cancer-related constipation

Article
First Online:

Abstract

Cancer-related constipation is common and a significant detractor from patient quality of life. It has many possible causes and is still not well understood. Information is lacking on therapies for cancer-related constipation among current medications approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Most agents have only been formally tested in comparison with placebo in chronic idiopathic constipation if at all. Few comparative studies of laxatives have been performed to establish superiority or synergy. As we understand more about the physiology of the gastrointestinal tract, new targeted therapies have become available. These include a selective chloride channel activator, lubiprostone, and a selective 5HT4 serotonin receptor agonist, tegaserod, both of which have been FDA approved for chronic idiopathic constipation. The role of these agents in cancer-related constipation remains to be seen. On the horizon are two investigational peripherally acting opioid receptor antagonists, alvimopan and methylnaltrexone. Preliminary results in cancer-related constipation suggest that these agents may be important additions to our treatment repertoire.

Keywords

Constipation Tegasero Chronic Idiopathic Constipation Reversin 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Copyright information

© Current Medicine Group LLC 2007

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.San Diego Hospice & Palliative Care, San DiegoSan DiegoUSA

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