Al-type generalized amyloidosis showing a solitary duodenal tumor

An amyloid tumor of the duodenum is a rare occurrence. A patient who presented with epigastric discomfort, in whom a barium meal study revealed a tumor of the duodenum is described. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed a submucosal location of the tumor, and examination of a biopsy revealed amyloid deposition of the AL type. Diffuse tumor involvement of adjacent tissues of the duodenum and also deposits of amyloid fibrils in the liver and skin with no evidence of a chronic pre- existing disease in the patient led to the diagnosis of primary systemic amyloidosis. The distinguishing feature of this case was the formation of a solitary and relatively large tumor in the duodenum mimicking a submucosal tumor, which is in contrast to most reported cases of multiple and smaller amyloid tumors in other parts of the gastrointestinal tract.