Clinical Analysis of Small Bowel Tumor

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Primary tumor of the small bowel is uncommon but as its clinical features are non-specific and diagnosis is difficult, treatment is delayed in many cases and its prognosis is poor. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical features of small bowel tumor. METHODS: We reviewed 60 patients with primary small bowel tumor who underwent operation from January, 1990 to December, 2000. We retrospectively analyzed the following factors; age, sex, anatomical distribution and histologic features, symptoms and signs, diagnostic method, operation and its complications, morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: The primary sites of benign tumor were the duodenum in 6 cases, jejunum in 6 and ileum in 3. The primary sites of malignant tumor were duodenum in 16 cases, jejunum in 17 and ileum in 12. Leiomyoma was the most common benign tumor and leiomyosarcoma was the most common malignant tumor. The most common symptom and sign were abdominal and palpable mass and anemia. In cases of malignant tumor, curative resection was performed in 30 cases (66.7%), palliative resction in 13 (28.9%) and bypass procedure in 2 (4.4%). In cases of benign tumor, the type of surgery were excision (6 cases), segmental resection (8) and right hemicolectomy (1). CONCLUSION: Because the clinical features of primary tumor of the small bowel are obscure and its diagnosis is difficult, it is important to maintain a high degree of suspicion and recognition for possibility of primary small bowel tumor.