Clinical presentations of small bowel tumor

Introduction: Small bowel tumors are amongst the uncommon in the gastrointestinal tract. The accumulation of data regarding their clinical presentation, etc. has been difficult. Most of the symptomatic lesions and tumors detected during surgery are malignant. Aim: To observe the clinical presentations of the small bowel tumors. Materials and methods: This was a prospective study of 17 cases of small bowel tumors done in Osmania General Hospital between 1994 and 1997, included both benign and malignant tumors and both primary and secondary tumors as well. Results: These tumors were seen between 30-80 years of age. Male to female ratio of the benign and malignant small bowel tumors was1.8: 1 and 1.75:1 respectively. 65% were Incidental findings. Anemia was seen in 58.8%. 83% of benign and 90% of malignant tumors presented with pain. 47.1% of the cases were diagnosed pre-operatively and 41.2% of the cases during emergency surgery. Benign tumors constituted 35.3% and the rest were malignant. 83.3% of the benign lesions were in the jejunum and 16.6% in the duodenum. Amongst, the malignant lesions, 54.60% of them were in the duodenum, 36.3% were in the jejunum and 9% were in the lleum. Conclusion: 65% of the small bowel tumors were found incidentally. Pain, obstruction, bleeding, palpable mass were the other modes of presentation, while anorexia and weight loss were noted in only the malignant ones. High index of suspicion is required to prevent delays.