Carcinoma of the duodenum

Primary carcinoma of the duodenum is an uncommon tumor of the gastrointestinal tract. We reviewed the histories of ten patients seen between 1976 and 1986. Some of the patients with tumors in the second part of the duodenum presented with clinically evident jaundice. The symptom complex of all other patients was compatible with many benign diseases and made the diagnosis difficult. At laparotomy, seven patients had resectable disease. Two patients had advanced disease so that no curative resection could be done. In one patient, a resection was technically impossible. A modified Whipple procedure (in which the pylorus is saved) is the method of choice for tumors of the second part of the duodenum. We perform a segmental resection for other tumors. In five patients, there was no involvement of the lymph nodes and these patients are well--two more than 30 months postoperatively and one patient almost ten years postoperatively. In two patients, one or more lymph nodes were involved, but they are still well 30 months postoperatively. As the prognosis of carcinoma of the duodenum, once metastasized, is poor, a greater awareness of the possibility of a duodenal tumor must accompany aggressive diagnostic and surgical procedures. That will be the only way to a higher percentage of cures.