title: Primary jejuno-ileal neoplasms in eastern Nigeria.
abstract: Small intestinal neoplasms are uncommon with reported incidences of less than 1% of GI neoplasms. A retrospective review of cases of small intestinal neoplasms seen by the authors in a ten-year period is presented. Ten cases were seen during the period (8 females and 2 males). Seven patients were aged less than 20 years while the rest were aged above 2 years. Six patients presented with intestinal obstruction, 3 with features of chronic ill-health while 1 was an incidental finding. The ileum was involved in 5 patients, the jejunum in 4 while 1 showed multiple gut involvement. One patient had a benign lesion (Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome). The rest consisted of lymphosarcoma [5],adenocarcinoma [3] while 1 patient had leiomyo-sarcoma. Treatment offered included resection of small gut in 7 patients and ileo-colectomy in 3 patients. Three patients with lymphosarcoma had a full course of cytotoxic chemotherapy. The outcome was poor; 2 patients were alive after 3 years, 3 died within 6 months of surgery while the rest were lost to follow-up at variable periods after surgery. Neoplasms of the small gut presents late in our environment. Lymphosarcoma seems commoner in childhood and carries a better prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria.
authors.forename: S N C
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Anyanwu
authors.forename: A M E
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Nwofor
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007078:Ileal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D007223:Infant; D007414:Intestinal Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology; D007580:Jejunal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria