PRIMARY MALIGNANT SMALL-BOWEL TUMORS - AN ATYPICAL ABDOMINAL EMERGENCY

Primary malignant tumors of the small bowel are uncommon in the United States. They comprise less than 1% of all gastrointestinal malignanci es, with an incidence of 2200 cases per year. The clinical presentatio n of small bowel tumors is frequently insidious and often overlooked b y physicians. The low incidence and lack of pathognomonic symptoms are the reasons that the early diagnosis of malignant small bowel tumor i s uncommon, To better understand the clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, management, and outcome, a review of Howard University pa tients with primary malignant small bowel tumors between 1970 and 1990 was conducted, Our experience concurs with the reported literature an d supports the conclusion that a high index of suspicion is necessary. The diagnosis of a malignant small bowel tumor should be considered i n patients with vague chronic abdominal complaints.