Primary adenocarcinoma of the duodenum. Report of two cases

Between 1969 and 1982, two patients were treated for malignant primary tumors of the duodenum in the Central Institute for Tumors and Allied Diseases in Zagreb. Adenocarcinoma of the posterior wall of the third part of the duodenum was histologically confirmed in the first patient. Today, 11 years after surgery and radiotherapy, there are no signs of the disease. Invasive papillary adenocarcinoma of the third part of the duodenum was histologically confirmed in the second patient. This patient died in cachexia 2 years after the diagnosis. The autopsy confirmed the initial diagnosis, and metastasis in the liver and periduodenal lymph nodes. When establishing the differential diagnosis of undefined pathologic processes in this region, one should consider a primary tumor of the duodenum. Palliative surgery can also be valuable in the overall outcome of treatment.