Small Bowel Adenocarcinoma: A Rare but Aggressive Disease

Small intestinal adenocarcinoma accompanied by lynch syndrome: A case report

RATIONALE

Lynch syndrome is caused by germline mutations of DNA mismatch repair genes. A significant risk increase for several types of cancer is one of the characteristics of lynch syndrome.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 45-year-old female presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain that had persisted for a month.

DIAGNOSES

The abdominal and pelvic computed tomography scan showed edematous and thickening of the proximal small bowel wall, as well as dilatation of the proximal bowel and stomach.

INTERVENTIONS

Tumor resection of the small bowel was performed, and adenocarcinoma was confirmed pathologically. Microsatellite instability was also confirmed.

OUTCOMES

Postoperative imaging revealed soft tissue lesions with potential for tumor seeding. Two months after the first surgery, a secondary surgery was performed as a result of cancer recurrence. The patient received chemotherapy with capecitabine. The latest computed tomography scan, performed 19 months after the cessation of chemotherapy, did not show any recurrence.

LESSONS

In the rare incidence of small bowel cancer genetic mutation testing and detailed family history should be actively considered.

Metastasis Pattern and Survival Analysis in Primary Small Bowel Adenocarcinoma: A SEER-Based Study

Background: Small bowel adenocarcinoma (SBA) is a rare gastrointestinal tumor with high malignancy. The aim of this study was to comprehensively evaluate the distant metastasis pattern and establish nomograms predicting survival for SBA. Methods: From 2010 to 2015, patients diagnosed with SBA were identified based on the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was applied to compare survival differences between metastasis patterns. Then, univariate and multivariate cox analyses were applied to screened out independent prognostic factors of cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS), and identify the risk factors for metastasis of SBA. To assess the discrimination and calibration of nomograms, the concordance index (C-index), calibration curves, receiver-operating characteristic curve (ROC), and decision curve analysis (DCA) were calculated. Results: Kaplan-Meier curves revealed that metastasis patterns were significantly correlated with CSS (p < 0.001) and OS (p < 0.001). Then, the metastasis pattern was showed to be an independent prognostic factor of OS and CSS in patients with SBA, as well as age, grade, T stage, N stage, surgery, retrieval of regional lymph nodes, and chemotherapy. Combining these factors, we constructed prognostic nomograms, which suggested that the metastasis pattern made the greatest contribution to the survival of patients with SBA. Nomograms for OS and CSS had a C-index of 0.787 and 0.793, respectively. Calibration curves showed an excellent agreement between probability and actual observation in the training and validation cohort. Decision curve analysis also exhibited its clinical value with an improved net benefit. In addition, the models we constructed had better prognostic accuracy and clinical utility than traditional TNM staging based on C-index and ROC. Further, Cox regression analysis showed that old age, poor differentiation, N2, and not receiving chemotherapy were the risk factors for prognosis in patients with metastatic SBA. Conclusion: As an independent prognostic factor, the metastasis pattern exhibited the greatest predictive effect on OS and CSS for patients with SBA. Adjuvant chemotherapy had a positive effect on the survival of patients with SBA. Nomograms for predicting 3-and 5-year OS and CSS of patients with SBA were constructed, which could identify patients with higher risk and might be superior in predicting the survival of patients with SBA than TNM staging.

Role of Kalpa Chikitsa in the management of Lynch syndrome- A case report

Lynch syndrome (hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer) is an autosomal dominant condition and it is caused by germline mutations in the DNA mismatch repair genes. The present case report was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of Madhuyasti (Glycyrrhiza glabra) Ksheerpaka kalpa in Lynch syndrome. A 28-year-old male was diagnosed with Lynch syndrome in 2016. The patient was operated three times followed by chemotherapy. In 2019, he was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma and advised for surgery. But despite getting surgery patient prefer to take Ayurvedic consultation considering his miserable condition after previous surgeries. It is decided to give the kalpa method of therapy prescribed in Ayurveda for rejuvenation and overall improvement of health. After the 15 days of treatment with Madhuyasti (Glycyrrhiza glabra) Ksheerpaka Kalpa chikitsa, the patient showed significant improvement in quality of life (P < 0.001 for SPF) and CT abdomen showed a reduction in circumferential thickening from 2.8 to 1.5 cm (~50% improvement) with no worsening complications. Although the pathogenesis cannot be revert back to the normalcy as the patient already had resection of the total colon, it can be concluded that with the help of Ayurveda, the appearance of complications can be delayed and the quality of life can be improved in such patients. It is further suggested that better result may obtained if the Ayurvedic therapy starts at earlier stage.

Small bowel adenocarcinoma in Lynch syndrome: A case report

Small bowel adenocarcinoma is part of the tumor spectrum of Lynch syndrome, which is caused by germline mutations in the mismatch repair genes. The present study describes the case of a 51-year-old man fulfilling the Amsterdam II criteria for Lynch syndrome, who had a 15-mm early-stage colorectal cancer resected endoscopically from the ascending colon. Due to upper abdominal discomfort after eating and consequent anorexia, a computed tomography scan performed 1 month later showed a tumoral mass of the upper jejunum with local lymphadenopathy. The laparotomy revealed a completely obstructing mass. Intraoperative frozen section showed a small bowel adenocarcinoma. Subsequent genetic testing confirmed the germline mutation of mutL homolog 1. The patient received 6 cycles of an adjuvant folinic acid, fluorouracil and ocaliplatin chemotherapy regimen. The latest CT scan, 16 months after the chemotherapy, did not show any recurrence. This case highlights the importance of considering the possibility of small bowel adenocarcinoma in patients with upper bowel obstruction, particularly for patients with Lynch syndrome.

Primary adenocarcinoma of the small intestine presenting as superior mesenteric artery syndrome: A case report

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS) is an uncommon cause of vomiting and weight loss due to compression of the third part of the duodenum by the superior mesenteric artery. Small bowel adenocarcinoma is an uncommon tumor, which is frequently delayed in diagnosis as its symptoms and signs are non-specific. The present study describes a case of SMAS occurring in a 51-year-old man, caused by intestinal obstruction secondary to a primary adenocarcinoma of the duodenal-jejunal junction. To the best of our knowledge, the present case is the first report of small bowel adenocarcinoma masquerading as SMAS. The present case highlights the importance of considering the possibility of SMAS in patients with upper bowel obstruction caused by intestinal carcinoma.

Non-colorectal intestinal tract carcinomas in inflammatory bowel disease: results of the 3rd ECCO Pathogenesis Scientific Workshop (II)

Patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) have an excess risk of certain gastrointestinal cancers. Much work has focused on colon cancer in IBD patients, but comparatively less is known about other more rare cancers. The European Crohn's and Colitis Organization established a pathogenesis workshop to review what is known about these cancers and formulate proposals for future studies to address the most important knowledge gaps. This article reviews the current state of knowledge about small bowel adenocarcinoma, ileo-anal pouch and rectal cuff cancer, and anal/perianal fistula cancers in IBD patients.

Cross-Sectional Imaging of Small Bowel Malignancies

Small bowel malignancies are rare neoplasms, usually inaccessible to conventional endoscopy but detectable in many cases by cross-sectional imaging. Modern multidetector computed tomographies permit accurate diagnosis, complete pretreatment staging, and follow-up of these lesions. In this review, we describe the cross-sectional imaging features of the most frequent histologic subtypes of the small bowel malignancies.

Small bowel adenocarcinoma: understaged and undertreated?

BACKGROUND

Primary small bowel adenocarcinoma (SBA) is a rare, chemoresistant tumor with an aggressive clinical nature. Surgery is the mainstay of therapy, but the extent of lymph node (LN) recovery necessary for optimal care of jejunoileal SBA is unknown.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The SEER database was queried to identify patients whose primary jejunoileal SBA was diagnosed between 1995 and 2005. Patients were grouped by AJCC stage and number of LNs recovered from the surgical specimen.

RESULTS

Of 1444 patients with primary SBA, 93 (6.4%), 529 (36.6%), 356 (24.7%), and 466 (32.3%) were initially diagnosed with stage I, II, III, and IV disease, respectively. Five-year overall survival (OS) rate was 59.8%, 39.5%, 27.0%, and 3.2% for patients with stage I, II, III, and IV SBA, respectively. When ≥10 nodes were recovered, OS rate increased nonsignificantly in stage I (73.2% vs. 55.6%) and significantly in stage II (61.8% vs. 32.9%, P < .001) but was unchanged in stage III (27.4% vs. 27.3%, P = .13). Recovery of ≥10 nodes occurred in 26.9%, 23.6%, and 42.1% of patients with stage I, II, and III SBA, respectively. Multivariate analysis identified age, AJCC stage, site of primary tumor, recovery of ≥10 LNs, and number of positive nodes as significant for OS.

CONCLUSIONS

We have found SBA staging is largely inadequate. Our results suggest recovery of ≥10 LNs ensures accurate staging. Improvement in stage II SBA OS after adequate LN may reflect a high degree of understaging in this dataset rather than a therapeutic effect of LAD.

Combination chemotherapy with cisplatin and irinotecan in patients with adenocarcinoma of the small intestine

BACKGROUND

Small-bowel adenocarcinoma (SBA) is a rare tumor that has a poor response to chemotherapy and a poor prognosis. Treatment strategies for SBA have not been clearly established.

METHODS

All patients with SBA treated using a combination of cisplatin and irinotecan (IP) as first-line chemotherapy at the National Cancer Center Hospital in Japan between January 1999 and February 2007 were studied retrospectively.

RESULTS

Eight patients received IP as first-line chemotherapy. The median follow-up was 9.5 months (range, 4.2-37.5 months). The median number of cycles of IP was three (range, 1-5). The overall response rate (complete or partial response) was 12.5% (complete response, n = 0; partial response, n = 1). The disease control rate (complete or partial response or stable disease) was 75%. The median time to treatment failure was 4.5 months (95% confidence interval, 0.9-5.8 months), and overall survival was 17.3 months (range, 1.9-21.3 months). The most common adverse events were neutropenia and anorexia.

CONCLUSION

IP combination chemotherapy may be an acceptable option for patients with SBA. Further studies are warranted to determine the optimal chemotherapeutic regimen for SBA.

Adenocarcinoma of the small bowel: a 60-yr perspective derived from M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Tumor Registry

OBJECTIVES

To analyze subsite distribution of small bowel adenocarcinoma (SBA) over a 60-yr interval and to determine the impact of age, gender, and ethnicity on SBA cross-referenced for selected variables including anatomic distribution.

METHODS

Data from 1944 to 2003 were extracted from the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Tumor Registry (MDACCTR) and analyzed by age, gender, ethnicity, anatomic site, and time intervals.

RESULTS

A total of 523 confirmed cases with 460 specified for subsite were identified. Peak incidence occurred in the sixth decade with male predominance (58%). Relative distribution for subsites was stable over the period of study; however, site-specific incidence differed significantly with age. Although jejunal SBA comprised only 21% of site-specific total (SST), 49% occurred in 0-49 age group rendering duodenal SBA (59% of SST) more common with increasing age (p < 0.001). A higher percentage of women presented at younger age; however, the difference was not significant (p = 0.061). Subsite distribution was similar for both genders, but varied significantly among ethnicities (p = 0.048) with Hispanics and African Americans having a higher percentage of duodenal SBA. The age and gender distribution among ethnicities varied significantly. African Americans having SBA presented at a younger age (p < 0.001), and comprised a higher percentage of women (p = 0.026).

CONCLUSION

Differences exist for SBA subsite distribution within age and ethnic groups but not gender. Unlike colon cancer, SBA subsite distribution has been stable during the last six decades. Different risk factors for SBA appear to affect different subsites. Site- and age-related distribution impacts on diagnostic evaluation for SBA.