Primary Cancers of the Small Bowel

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Abstract
SMALL-BOWEL CANCERS are uncommon tumors, accounting for 1% to 2% of all primary gastrointestinal (GI) tract malignancies.1-3 As a result of this relative infrequency, the accumulation of data regarding their natural history and the effect of surgical therapy has been difficult. The presence of several different histological subtypes of small-bowel cancers has complicated characterization of typical disease expression. Clinical presentations may also differ according to the location of the primary tumor. Because of the rarity and variety of small-bowel cancers, fundamental questions exist regarding appropriate treatment recommendations and the influence of surgical therapy on patient outcomes. The aims of this study were to characterize disease presentation, to define the optimal extent of surgical resection necessary for local tumor control, to examine the effect of surgical treatment on long-term survival, and to determine which clinical and pathologic features predict prognosis.