Primary jejuno-ileal neoplasms in eastern Nigeria

Small intestinal neoplasms are uncommon with reported incidences of less than 1% of GI neoplasms. A retrospective review of cases of small intestinal neoplasms seen by the authors in a ten-year period is presented. Ten cases were seen during the period (8 females and 2 males). Seven patients were aged less than 20 years while the rest were aged above 2 years. Six patients presented with intestinal obstruction, 3 with features of chronic ill-health while 1 was an incidental finding. The ileum was involved in 5 patients, the jejunum in 4 while 1 showed multiple gut involvement. One patient had a benign lesion (Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome). The rest consisted of lymphosarcoma [5],adenocarcinoma [3] while 1 patient had leiomyo-sarcoma. Treatment offered included resection of small gut in 7 patients and ileo-colectomy in 3 patients. Three patients with lymphosarcoma had a full course of cytotoxic chemotherapy. The outcome was poor; 2 patients were alive after 3 years, 3 died within 6 months of surgery while the rest were lost to follow-up at variable periods after surgery. Neoplasms of the small gut presents late in our environment. Lymphosarcoma seems commoner in childhood and carries a better prognosis.