Adenocarcinoma of the small bowel

Cancer of the small bowel is a rare entity but its incidence is rising. His torically, outcome is poor despite apparent curative resection. At present surgery remains the only treatment modality of proven benefit in the manage ment of this disease. Recent data would suggest 5-year survival rates in th e order of 40-50% at all sites of small bowel cancer. To improve upon this, earlier diagnosis with a high index of suspicion and multicentre adjuvant therapy trials are required.