Primary small bowel tumors

Abstract

Small bowel neoplasms are rarely encountered. Fifty-seven patients, consisting of 42 malignant and 15 benign cases, were reviewed in this study. The most commonly encountered malignant and benign tumors were lymphoma and leiomyoma, respectively. The predominant symptom of benign and malign tumors was abdominal pain. Leiomyomas commonly presented with gross gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Intestinal obstruction and intraabdominal mass were the most common clinical signs at admission in malignant tumors. Anemia and weight loss were .present only in patients with malignant tumors. Twenty-six per cent of patients presented with acute abdomen requiring emergency laparotomy. Operative mortality was 50% in patients with malignant tumors and was attributed to the high frequency of serious complications. In order to prevent serious complications and decrease postoperative mortality rate, early diagnosis is necessary.