Nicotine in Treating "Hunger Pain" in Patients With Malignant Bowel Obstruction Caused By Cancer

RATIONALE: The use of a nicotine inhaler may help decrease appetite and relieve "hunger pain" (an intense craving for food) in patients with malignant bowel obstruction caused by cancer.
PURPOSE: This randomized clinical trial is studying the side effects and how well a nicotine inhaler works in treating "hunger pain" in patients with malignant bowel obstruction caused by cancer.