Primary Malignant Tumours of the Small Intestine

ABSTRACT

Background: Primary malignant tumours of the small intestine are rare. These tumours constitute 1-5 of gastrointestinal tract malignancies despite the high rate of epithelial cell turnover and a large mucosal surface area. Clinical; radiological and endoscopic diagnostic difficulties continue to present challenges to surgeons. Primary malignant tumours cause intestinal obstruction necessitating emergency surgery following which diagnosis is made. The consequences of these are significant delay in diagnosis and finding of advanced tumour at surgery. Aim: This study set out to evaluate the management challenges of small intestinal malignancies and proffer solutions for improved outcome. Method: All the cases of primary malignant tumours of the small intestine were retrospectively reviewed for clinical presentation; diagnosis and outcome of treatment and compared with total gastrointestinal malignancies. Result: Seven patients were seen over a 10 - year period. The M F ratio was 2.51 with an age range of 19-55 years and a mean of 43.3 years. The peak age group was in the 4th decade. Small intestinal malignancies accounted for 14.2 of gastrointestinal malignancies during the period of study. Intestinal obstruction was a common mode of presentation with the finding of advanced tumours at surgery. The most common tumour was adenocarcinoma 4(57.1) followed by lymphoma 2(28.6) and 1 case (14.3) of ileal carcinoid. The ileum was the most common site involved 6 (85.7). Conclusion: Malignancies of the small bowel should be considered in patients with recurrent abdominal pain; mass or intestinal obstruction. Aggressive investigation of patients with non specific abdominal symptomatology aimed at tumour localization and histologic diagnosis is important for early diagnosis and treatment for improved outcome: