Leiomyosarcoma of the duodenum

Neoplasms of the duodenum are very rare. Approximately 6% of all gastro-intestinal neoplasms are found in the small intestine with duodenal neoplasms accounting for 17% of all malignant small bowel tumours. The duodenum is more prone to neoplastic transformation per unit length than any other portion of the small intestine. Adenocarcinoma is by far the most frequent. Malignant mesenchymal neoplasm, accounts for about 20% of all small bowel malignancies.The symptoms of duodenal tumours are vague resulting in late presentation and late diagnosis. Prolonged survival is common after resection. We present a case of a 60 year old male who complained of an abdominal mass and discomfort of two months' duration. Clinical examination, Ultra sonagraphy [US] and Computed Tomagraphy [CT] confirmed the presence of the mass. At laparotomy the mass was found to originate from the second part of the duodenum. It was excised and the duodenum repaired. The pathology report was leiomyosarcoma of the duodenum