[Malignant tumors of the small intestine (author's transl)]

Tumors of the small intestine are rare as compared to other tumors of the gastrointestinal tract; clinical symptoms are unrevealing for long time, thwarting an early diagnosis. Detection of these tumors by x-ray examination is successful often only after several attempts. Case reports are given of 7 patients and difficulties of making a diagnosis are discussed. Radiological methods are described; differential diagnosis of x-ray findings is expecially difficult. A histological diagnosis by endoscopic or intraoperative biopsy should always be tried. Surgery is necessary in every case in order to restore normal passage.