Endoscopic Placement of Metal Stent in Patients With Cancer-Related Bowel Obstruction

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Endoscopically confirmed localized tumor as the cause of colonic obstruction * All primary tumor types are eligible * No prior colonic Wallstents * Must have symptoms of gastrointestinal obstruction, including: * Inability to move bowels, absence of flatus, nausea/vomiting, abdominal pain, or diarrhea PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 18 and over Performance status: * ECOG 0-3 Life expectancy: * Not specified Hematopoietic: * Platelet count greater than 50,000/mm\^3 Hepatic: * INR no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal Renal: * Not specified Cardiovascular: * No cardiac condition Other: * Not pregnant or nursing * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No significant active infection (e.g., pneumonia, peritonitis, wound abscess) that would preclude endoscopy * No other serious concurrent illness * No uncontrolled metabolic disease (e.g., diabetes or hypothyroidism) * No dementia, psychiatric disorder, or altered mental status that would preclude compliance * History of other neoplastic disease allowed * Veterans Administration patients are not eligible PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * Not specified Chemotherapy: * Prior or concurrent chemotherapy allowed Endocrine therapy: * Not specified Radiotherapy: * Prior or concurrent radiotherapy allowed Surgery: * At least 3 weeks since prior surgery and recovered