Abstract
A very rare case of early cancer of ileum is reported. A subpedunculated tumor of the terminal ileum, about 10 cm from the ileocecal valve, was disclosed in a 70-year-old male during colonoscopy. Although biopsy revealed tubular adenoma, the lesion was diagnosed as an early cancer of the ileum from the roentogenologic and endoscopic findings. Partial resection of the ileum was undertaken. The resected specuimen showed a mulberry-shaped tumor, 4.5 X 2.8 X 2.2 cm in size. Histological examination showed well differentiated adenocarcinoma whose invasion was limited only to the mucosa. Early cancer of the ileum has been rarely reported. Observation of the terminal ileum during colonoscopy or barium enema is highly recommended to detect early ileal cancers, as ileal cancers frequently develop in the terminal ileum within 20 to 30 cm from the ileocecal valve.
