TWO CASES OF PRIMARY CANCER OF THE JEJUNUM PREOPERATIVELY DIAGNOSED WITH BIOPSY THROUGH AN ENDOSCOPE

Abstract

Two cases of primary cancer of the jejunum preoperatively diagnosed by endoscopic biopsy are reported. Patient 1 was a 42-year-old woman presented with anemia. Diagnosis of primary cancer of the jejunum was made preoperatively. At operation a palliative gastrojejunostomy was performed because the tumor invaded the superior mesenteric artery and vein. The patient died of the cancer 3 months after the operation. Patient 2 was a 62-year-old man presented with ileus. Preoperative diagnosis was primary cancer of the jejunum. Partial resection of the jejunum with lymph node dissection was performed. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient has been doing well one year after the operation. In these cases, X-ray examination of the small intestine and enhanced computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen were useful for detecting the existence of the tumor. And endoscopy and angiography enabled us to characterize the tumor. Defenitive diagnosis was obtained preoperatively with biopsy through an endoscope. Primary tumor of the small intestine lacks in specific clinical manifestations, and presents difficulty in early diagnosis. It this disease in suspected, small bowel X-ray examination and enhanced CT are needed to diagnose the existence of the tumor. Furthermore, small bowel cancers near the Treitz ligament and Bauhin should be evaluated by endoscopy.