About the primary malignant tumors of small bowel

Primary malignant tumors of small bowels are relatively rare among the GIA-tumors. There are no specific methods to find these tumors in an early stage. Only the specific radiological examination (double contrast method or CT-scan) or sometimes the specific jejunoscopy can prove the correct diagnosis before the operation. Usually surgeons have to operate because of the emergency situation caused by primary malignant tumors of small bowel. A total of 21 patients were operated on for malignant tumors of small bowels since 1st January, 1986 till 31st December, 1995 (during 10 years). 13 of the 21 were urgent cases. 3 perforations and 10 mechanical bowel obstructions were the indications of the acute surgical procedures. The preoperative diagnoses were correct in the eight elective operations. Types of operations: 8 jejunal-resection, 11 ileal-resection, 1 Whipple-operation, 1 ileal-resection with right hemicolectomy. Peri-operative mortality rate was zero. Histological reports: 13 adenocancers, 2 leiomyosarcomas, 5 malignant carcinoids, 1 anaplastic cancer. Lymphomas and tumors of papilla Vateri were excluded from this study. Most of the patients had abdominal symptoms earlier than 8 months before the operations. Earlier diagnosis may give a better chance to operate these tumors in earlier stages, and it can give a better chance for the patients for longer survival.