[Tumors of Meckel's diverticulum]

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology and Surgical Oncology

Background:

• Meckel's diverticulum (MD) is a congenital anomaly that can undergo malignant transformation.
• Tumoral degeneration of MD is more common in adults than in children.

Observation:

• A rare case of leiomyoma, a type of tumor, in a Meckel's diverticulum of a 5-year-old boy is presented.
• Review of over 1,200 reported cases and personal experience with 48 MD cases confirm the rarity of pediatric MD tumors.

Findings:

• While MD tumors are rare in children, they occur with significant frequency (1:50 MD) and high malignancy in adults.
• Leiomyoma is a rare but possible malignant degeneration of Meckel's diverticulum.

Implications:

• Early detection and surgical removal of Meckel's diverticulum are crucial to prevent potential tumoral degeneration in adulthood.
• Ample intestinal resection is recommended for diagnosed cases of Meckel's diverticulum cancer.