Occult small bowel adenocarcinoma complicating Crohn's disease: a report of three cases

Three patients with Crohn's disease are described who were treated by ileal resection for intestinal obstruction. Histological examination of the resected specimen in each case established the diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of the small intestine complicating Crohn's disease. This diagnosis should be considered in patients with longstanding macroscopic Crohn's disease who present with severe or recurrent symptoms. The diagnosis may not be apparent on routine radiological examination or even macroscopically at laparotomy.