SMALL INTESTINAL TUMORS

Small intestine is the longest part of the gastrointestinal tract. It represents 75% of its length and 90% of the mucosal surface. Benign tumors are observed at 3-6% and the malignant--1-3% of all cancers of all GI malignancies.

23 patients with small intestinal tumors between 2001 and 2014 were admitted in Second Department of surgery. They were comparable in age, location and tumor characteristics. The reasons for hospitalization of patients were following symptoms: bowel obstruction, abdominal pain, GI bleeding, anemia. The diagnosis was established on the clinical presentation, performance status and imaging procedures (CT and MRI). The histological types of the tumor were adenocarcinoma--56.5%, GIST--17.4%, sarcoma--9.3% NET--8.7%, and lymphoma--8.1%. Surgical treatment was performed in all patients and included tumor resection, followed by side-to-side or end-to-end anastomosis.

Small intestinal tumors are characterized by a low frequency. Diagnosis is made in advanced stage of disease because of lack of symptoms and difficult determination of the clinical presentation. Surgery is the only method that allows radical treatment. Chemotherapy is recommended in patients with malignant small bowel tumors.