Study halted prematurely, prior to enrollment of first participant

This trial studies how well rectal administration of opioids using the Macy catheter works in reducing pain in patients with cancer that has spread to other anatomic sites or is no longer responding to treatment. Rectal administration of opioids using the Macy catheter may help to reduce the cost of care, resolve the issue of medication availability currently faced in the form of parenteral opioid shortage throughout the country, and provide adequate comfort and symptom relief for patients with smoother transition out of hospital.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

I. Determine the feasibility of using the device 'Macy catheter' for rectal administration of opioids for comfort in cancer patients on palliative care.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To determine the ease of use, level of satisfaction and overall perception of effectiveness of 'Macy catheter' for rectal administration of opioids for pain control in advanced cancer patients, by the hospital bedside nursing staff.

II. To assess patients' (or primary care-giver's) experience of using the 'Macy catheter' 48 hours after discharge from the hospital.

III. To assess the hospice staff (or primary care-giver's) experience of using the 'Macy catheter' after patient's death.

OUTLINE:

Patients undergo placement of rectal catheter and receive opioids through the Macy catheter.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult patients admitted to the inpatient Acute Palliative Care Unit (APCU) at MD Anderson Cancer Center
• Candidate for taking short acting opioids and/or methadone, with or without transdermal fentanyl, for control of cancer related pain
• Impaired oral/gastrointestinal (GI) route for medicine intake (due to, but not limited to, any level of gastrointestinal obstruction, severe nausea and/or vomiting, odynophagia and/or dysphagia due to severe mucositis, tumor, muscle weakness or in-coordination)
• Advanced cancer defined as cancer with no further oncological management and patients are at end of life (EOL) or recommended for best supportive/comfort care (estimated prognosis less than 6 months)
• Able and willing to read and sign in English

Exclusion Criteria:

• Non-English speaking
• Contraindications to use of the Macy catheter (1. Not be used for patients with rectal lesions, tumors, active rectal bleeding and/or compromised rectal mucosa [i.e. ulceration or ischemic proctitis], 2. Patients with diarrhea, or more than 1 liquid stool per day, 3. Patients with recent bowel surgery [less than 6 weeks], 4. Thrombocytopenia [platelet count less than 20,000, checked in the last 1 week])
• Patients who are unable to take oral medications due to severe constipation only, which can be adequately managed by bowel laxative regimen