Small bowel cancer in the United States: changes in epidemiology, treatment, and survival over the last 20 years. Ann Surg. 2009;249:63-71. [PMID: 19106677 DOI: 10.1097/sla.0b013e31818e4641]

Tumor Budding and Poorly Differentiated Clusters in Small Intestinal Adenocarcinoma

The clinicopathologic and prognostic significances of tumor budding (TB) and poorly-differentiated clusters (PDC) have not been investigated in small intestinal adenocarcinomas (SIACs). In 236 surgically-resected SIACs, we counted TB (single cells or clusters ≤4 tumor cells) and PDC (clusters ≥5 tumor cells) at the peritumoral-invasive front (p) and in the intratumoral area (i) independently to classify as grade-1 (≤4), grade-2 (5–9), or grade-3 (≥10). Consequently, grades-2 and -3 were considered high-grade. High-pTB, -iTB, -pPDC, and -iPDC were observed in 174 (73.7%), 129 (54.7%), 118 (50.0%), and 85 (36.0%) cases, respectively. High-TB/PDCs were more frequently observed in tumors with high-grade, higher T- and N-categories and stage grouping, and perineural or lymphovascular invasion. Patients with high-TB/PDC had a shorter survival than those with low-TB/PDC. In a multivariate analysis, high-pTB, nonintestinal type, high N-category, retroperitoneal seeding, and microsatellite-stable were worse independent-prognostic predictors. Subgroup analysis demonstrated that patients with high-pTB showed worse survival (median: 42.5 months) than those with low-pTB (133.7 months; p = 0.007) in the lower stage (stages I–II) group. High-TB/PDC, both in peritumoral and intratumoral localizations, were associated with aggressive behaviors in SIACs. High-pTB can be used as an adverse prognostic indicator in SIAC patients, especially when patients are in early disease stages.

Efficacy of surgery and chemotherapy for stage IV small bowel adenocarcinoma: A population-based analysis using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Result Program database

BACKGROUND

The role of surgery and chemotherapy for stage IV small bowel adenocarcinoma (SBA) is still confused. The results from previous analyses have been limited by small sample sizes and different treatment regimens.

METHODS

Patients with stage IV SBA were identified in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Result Program (SEER) database. Cause-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated with Kaplan-Meier methods and log-rank test. Multiple logistic and Cox regression identified covariates associated with treatment options and survival.

RESULTS

1219 eligible patients were involved in this study. The median age was 67 (range, 20-95) with 655 (53.7%) males and 564 (46.3%) females. Age and primary tumor site were significantly associated with surgery performance, age was also significantly associated with chemotherapy (P < .01). To reduce bias, further six subgroups were divided by age (≤65 and >65) and primary tumor site (duodenum, jejunum and ileum). Chemotherapy and surgery conferred a benefit on survival of the whole cohort (the median CSS of different treatment groups were 17, 9, 4, and 1 month respectively, P < .001) and most subgroups (83.3%, 5/6). In multivariate analysis, surgery (P = .006), and chemotherapy (P = .038) are still independent factors of favorable CSS and OS. For patients with surgery (n = 362), radical surgery was not associated with better survival.

CONCLUSION

For stage IV SBA patients, the present study showed that age and primary tumor site were significantly associated with treatment preference. Surgery and chemotherapy were consistently correlated with favorable survival for the whole cohort or most specific subgroups. However, compared with palliative surgery, significant association was not found in patients with radical surgery with better outcome. More prospective well-defined cohorts would add knowledge for this rare disease.

Small Bowel Enteroscopy - A Joint Clinical Guideline from the Spanish and Portuguese Small Bowel Study Groups

The present evidence-based guidelines are focused on the use of device-assisted enteroscopy in the management of small-bowel diseases. A panel of experts selected by the Spanish and Portuguese small bowel study groups reviewed the available evidence focusing on the main indications of this technique, its role in the management algorithm of each indication and on its diagnostic and therapeutic yields. A set of recommendations were issued accordingly.

Roles of Capsule Endoscopy and Device-Assisted Enteroscopy in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Small-Bowel Tumors

With the development of capsule endoscopy (CE) and device-assisted enteroscopy (DAE), the incidence of small-bowel tumors has increased and the characteristics of these tumors have changed. In addition, the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for small-bowel tumors have diversified. CE is a simple, noninvasive method that aid in the visualization the entire small bowel. CE is considered the initial approach for small-bowel tumors. DAE can be used to perform endoscopic procedures such as bleeding control, polypectomy, stent insertion, and tattooing, as well as for diagnosis through visualization or tissue sampling. Therapeutic intervention with DAE is particularly useful in polyposis syndromes such as familial adenomatous polyposis and Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. This review will discuss the roles of CE and DAE in the diagnosis and treatment of small-bowel tumors.

The importance of primary tumor origin in gastrointestinal malignancies undergoing cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy

Background

Appendiceal and colorectal cancers with peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) can derive benefit from cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC). However, its role in gastric and small bowel malignancies remains undefined.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 251 gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas with PC which underwent CRS/HIPEC at our institution from 2007 to 2017. We compared outcomes of gastric, small bowel, appendiceal, and colorectal cohorts.

Results

Thirty-one gastric, 8 small bowel, 91 appendiceal, and 121 colorectal cohorts were included. More gastric cancers (90%) received neoadjuvant chemotherapy than any other cohort, p = 0.002. Although colorectal had the lowest peritoneal cancer index (PCI) (9) and appendiceal the highest (16), all cohorts underwent similar rates of organ resection and complete cytoreduction. Length of stay (p = 0.005) and major perioperative morbidity (Clavien III/IV, p = 0.011) were significantly higher in gastric and small bowel. Median overall survival (OS, p < 0.001) was significantly shorter in gastric (13 months) and small bowel (9 months) than in appendiceal (33 months) and colorectal (42 months) cohorts. On multivariate analysis, complete cytoreduction and PCI score were significant predictors of OS, p < 0.05.

Conclusions

Primary tumor origin significantly affects outcomes after CRS/HIPEC for gastrointestinal malignancies. Though there was a survival benefit in appendiceal and colorectal, gastric and small bowel survival was comparable to systemic chemotherapy.

Prognostic Value of Immune Environment Analysis in Small Bowel Adenocarcinomas with Verified Mutational Landscape and Predisposing Conditions

Background: Small bowel adenocarcinoma (SBA) is a rare yet insidious cancer with poor survival. The abundance of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes is associated with improved survival, but the role of the programmed death-1/programmed death ligand-1 (PD-1/PD-L1) pathway in tumour escape is controversial. We evaluated immune cell infiltration, PD1/PD-L1 expression and their prognostic value in a series of SBAs with previously verified predisposing conditions and exome-wide somatic mutation characterization. Methods: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections stained for CD3, CD8, PD-L1 and PD-1 were analysed from 94 SBAs. An immune cell score (ICS) was formed from the amount of the CD3 and CD8 positive lymphocytes from the tumour centre and invasive margin. The PD-L1 and PD-1 positive immune cells (ICs) and ICS were combined into a variable called Immunoprofile. Results: High ICS, PD-L1^IC and PD-1, individually and combined as Immunoprofile, were prognostic for better patient outcome. Sixty-five (69%) SBAs expressed ≥1% positive PD-L1^IC. A high tumour mutation burden was common (19%) and associated with immune markers. Immunoprofile, adjusted for TNM stage, mismatch repair status, tumour location, sex and age were independent prognostic markers for disease-specific and overall survival. Conclusions: Analysing tumoral immune contexture provides prognostic information in SBA. Combining ICS, PD-1 and PD-L1^IC as Immunoprofile enhanced the prognostic performance.

Addition of Bevacizumab to First-Line Palliative Chemotherapy in Patients with Metastatic Small Bowel Adenocarcinoma: A Population-Based Study

BACKGROUND

Data about the use and effectiveness of targeted therapy in metastatic small bowel adenocarcinoma (SBA) are scarce.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this population-based study was to obtain insights into the use and effectiveness of targeted therapy in patients with synchronous metastases of SBA.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data were retrieved from the Netherlands Cancer Registry. Patients treated with palliative chemotherapy and/or targeted therapy for synchronous metastatic SBA between 2007 and 2016 were included (n = 187). Differences in treatment and the subsequent effects on overall survival (OS) were evaluated.

RESULTS

In first-line treatment, 25 patients (13%) received additional targeted therapy, exclusively bevacizumab, and mostly in combination with CAPOX/FOLFOX (n = 24). A primary ileal tumour was predictive for receiving bevacizumab in first-line treatment (odds ratio 3.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06-9.93). Median OS for patients in whom bevacizumab was added to first-line chemotherapy was 9.3 months, compared to 9.1 months with chemotherapy only (p = 0.85). Median OS for patients receiving first-line treatment only was 8.5 months with and 6.4 months without the addition of bevacizumab, respectively (p = 0.54). In multivariable survival analyses, the addition of bevacizumab was no prognostic factor (hazard ratio 1.01, 95% CI 0.65-1.59).

CONCLUSIONS

Bevacizumab was the only prescribed targeted therapy in first-line treatment. Considering the limited number of patients receiving first-line bevacizumab and the unknown reasons to prescribe additional targeted therapy, the corresponding survival rates of patients treated with and without additional bevacizumab in first-line treatment might suggest a limited clinical effect of bevacizumab in addition to first-line palliative chemotherapy on OS. Future research should focus on identifying the subgroup of patients who might benefit from anti-VEGF therapy in metastatic SBA.

It Is Time to Rethink Biomarkers for Surveillance of Small Bowel Neuroendocrine Tumors

BACKGROUND

Tumor biomarkers (TBMs) reflect disease burden and correlate with survival for small bowel neuroendocrine tumors (SBNETs). This study sought to determine the performance of chromogranin A (CgA), pancreastatin (PST), neurokinin A (NKA), and serotonin (5HT) during follow-up assessment of resected SBNETs.

METHODS

An institutional database identified patients undergoing surgery for SBNETs. Tumor biomarker levels were assessed as categorical (normal vs elevated) and continuous variables for association with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) via the Kaplan-Meier method with Cox multivariable models adjusted for confounders. Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of TBM levels in identifying imaging-confirmed progression were calculated.

RESULTS

In 218 patients (44% female, 92% node + , 73% metastatic, 97% G1 or G2), higher levels of CgA, PST, NKA, and 5HT correlated with higher-grade and metastatic disease at presentation (p < 0.05). Elevated pre- and postoperative CgA, PST, and NKA correlated with lower PFS and OS (p < 0.05; median follow-up period, 49.6 months). Normal CgA, PST, and NKA were present in respectively 20.3%, 16.9%, and 72.6% of the patients with progression, whereas elevated levels were present in respectively 69.5%, 24.8%, and 1.3% of the patients without progression. Using TBMs to determine progression showed superiority of PST (78.9% accuracy) over CgA (63.3% accuracy) or CgA and PST together (60.3% accuracy).

CONCLUSION

Although specific for progression, NKA was rarely elevated, limiting its usefulness. Pre- and postoperative PST and CgA correlated with disease burden and survival, with PST providing better discrimination of outcomes. During the follow-up period, use of PST most accurately detected progression. These results suggest that PST should replace CgA for SBNET surveillance.

Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Gastrointestinal Tract and Pancreas

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and pancreas are a rare and heterogeneous group of neoplasms characterized by common cellular features as well as unique site-specific traits. GI and pancreatic NENs are much rarer than the more common adenocarcinomas arising at these sites. However, the incidences of GI and pancreatic NENs have increased significantly, particularly in the stomach and common site, followed by rectum, appendix, colon, and stomach. Pancreatic NENs are also uncommon, with fewer than 1 per 100,000, accounting for 1% to 2% of all pancreatic neoplasms.

Small bowel adenocarcinoma in Crohn's disease: a rare but devastating complication

BACKGROUND

Small bowel adenocarcinoma (SBA) remains a rare entity but occurs at increased frequency in the setting of chronic Crohn's disease (CD). Our aim was to study the presentation, diagnosis and prognosis of SBA in patients undergoing surgery for CD at a single institution.

METHODS

We reviewed the medical records of all patients with CD complicated by adenocarcinoma of the small bowel from 2000 to 2017. Descriptive statistics and Kaplan-Meier overall survival estimates were calculated.

RESULTS

In total, 22 patients (14 males) with CD (median duration of Crohn's diagnosis 32 years) were diagnosed with SBA and underwent surgical resection (8 isolated small bowel resections, 12 ileocolic resections, and 2 total proctocolectomies). The median patient age at the time of diagnosis was 54 years (range 22-82 years). A total of 17 patients (77%) underwent cross-sectional CT imaging within 3 months of surgery, a cancer diagnosis was suggested in only one patient. In one other patient, SBA was diagnosed preoperatively on endoscopic biopsy of the terminal ileum. The remaining patients were operated on for obstruction (n = 17), abscess or fistulizing disease (n = 2), and sigmoid cancer (n = 1). For these 20 (90%) patients not suspected to have SBA on preoperative assessment, 5 (25%) were diagnosed intraoperatively on frozen section and 15 (75%) were unexpectedly diagnosed postoperatively on final pathology. T staging was characterized by more advanced tumors (T4: 59%, T3: 27%, T2: 9%, and T1: 5%). Nine patients (41%) had nodal involvement and five patients (23%) had hepatic and/or peritoneal carcinomatosis. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival estimates for our cohort were 84%, 30%, and 10%, respectively. Median survival was 30.5 months with median follow-up of 23 months (range 6-84 months).

CONCLUSIONS

SBA in the setting of CD is most commonly found incidentally after surgical resection for benign indications. As such, any suspicious finding at the time of surgery in a patient with chronic CD should warrant careful investigation with frozen section and/or resection. Prognosis for CD complicated by SBA remains poor even in the modern era.

Small Bowel Neoplasms: A Pictorial Review

Small bowel tumors are rare and account for approximately 3% of all gastrointestinal tumors in the United States. The incidence of small bowel neoplasms is rising-in particular, there is a rising incidence of small bowel carcinoid tumors. This may in part be due to small bowel lesion identification in an increasing number of cross-sectional imaging studies performed for other indications as well as increased use of advanced imaging techniques to assess specifically for small bowel disease. Diagnosis is a challenge owing to nonspecific clinical manifestation, rare occurrence, and low index of clinical suspicion. Yet, various small bowel neoplasms have characteristic imaging features at CT and MRI when optimal distention of the small bowel is achieved, correlating well with features seen in gross specimens. Understanding the imaging features of small bowel neoplasms is important to improve the radiologist's ability to diagnose and characterize small bowel neoplasms. Most small bowel tumors are clinically silent for long periods, and nearly half of the benign tumors are found incidentally during surgery or at cross-sectional imaging performed for other reasons. The authors review the imaging features of common benign and malignant small bowel neoplasms to aid the radiologist in diagnosis of small bowel tumors. ^©RSNA, 2020.

Neuroendocrine Tumors of Meckel's Diverticula: Rare but Fare Well

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are the most common malignancy arising in Meckel's diverticula (MDs). To date, there are no large series characterizing these tumors. The National Cancer Database was queried for patients with MD NETs (n = 162) from 2004 to 2014. Patient and tumor characteristics as well as outcomes were analyzed. MD NETs were more common in men (72.8%) at a median age of 62 years; 95.1 per cent of patients were white. All patients underwent surgery. Clinical M0 disease was present in 97.4 per cent of patients, and 88.2 per cent of tumors were well differentiated. Lymphovascular invasion was present in 13.2 per cent. Most (60.4%) tumors were less than 10 mm. Lymphadenectomy was performed in 32.9 per cent of patients, with 52.1 per cent of these found to have metastatic lymph node disease. Although most MD NETs are well differentiated, smaller than 10 mm, and do not have lymphovascular invasion, lymph node metastases are commonly found, suggesting that mesenteric lymphadenectomy with adequate resection of the small bowel may be necessary for adequate staging and disease clearance.

Double small bowel cancers leading to the diagnosis of Lynch syndrome with germline MSH6 mutation in an elderly patient

A female patient in her 80s was referred to our hospital because of an ileal tumor identified by capsule endoscopy. FDG-PET suggested double intestinal tumors not only in the ileum but also in the jejunum. The patient has cancer past history including sigmoid colon, rectum, and endometrium, and also had cancer family history fulfilling the revised Amsterdam criteria. Double balloon enteroscopy disclosed two ulcerated tumors in the jejunum and the ileum. Biopsy was diagnosed as adenocarcinoma pathologically, and microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) genetically. Surgical resection was performed, and the jejunal and the ileal tumors were tubular (T2N0M0) and mucinous adenocarcinoma (T4N0M0), respectively. Germline mutation analysis revealed a pathogenic splice-site mutation in MSH6.

Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) 3D Printing Special Interest Group (SIG) clinical situations for which 3D printing is considered an appropriate representation or extension of data contained in a medical imaging examination: abdominal, hepatobiliary, and gastrointestinal conditions

Background

Medical 3D printing has demonstrated value in anatomic models for abdominal, hepatobiliary, and gastrointestinal conditions. A writing group composed of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) Special Interest Group on 3D Printing (SIG) provides appropriateness criteria for abdominal, hepatobiliary, and gastrointestinal 3D printing indications.

Methods

A literature search was conducted to identify all relevant articles using 3D printing technology associated with a number of abdominal pathologic processes. Each included study was graded according to published guidelines.

Results

Evidence-based appropriateness guidelines are provided for the following areas: intra-hepatic masses, hilar cholangiocarcinoma, biliary stenosis, biliary stones, gallbladder pathology, pancreatic cancer, pancreatitis, splenic disease, gastric pathology, small bowel pathology, colorectal cancer, perianal fistula, visceral trauma, hernia, abdominal sarcoma, abdominal wall masses, and intra-abdominal fluid collections.

Conclusion

This document provides initial appropriate use criteria for medical 3D printing in abdominal, hepatobiliary, and gastrointestinal conditions.

An Algorithmic Immunohistochemical Approach to Define Tumor Type and Assign Site of Origin

Immunohistochemistry represents an indispensable complement to an epidemiology and morphology-driven approach to tumor diagnosis and site of origin assignment. This review reflects the state of my current practice, based on 15-years' experience in Pathology and a deep-dive into the literature, always striving to be better equipped to answer the age old questions, "What is it, and where is it from?" The tables and figures in this manuscript are the ones I "pull up on the computer" when I am teaching at the microscope and turn to myself when I am (frequently) stuck. This field is so exciting because I firmly believe that, through the application of next-generation immunohistochemistry, we can provide better answers than ever before. Specific topics covered in this review include (1) broad tumor classification and associated screening markers; (2) the role of cancer epidemiology in determining pretest probability; (3) broad-spectrum epithelial markers; (4) noncanonical expression of broad tumor class screening markers; (5) a morphologic pattern-based approach to poorly to undifferentiated malignant neoplasms; (6) a morphologic and immunohistochemical approach to define 4 main carcinoma types; (7) CK7/CK20 coordinate expression; (8) added value of semiquantitative immunohistochemical stain assessment; algorithmic immunohistochemical approaches to (9) "garden variety" adenocarcinomas presenting in the liver, (10) large polygonal cell adenocarcinomas, (11) the distinction of primary surface ovarian epithelial tumors with mucinous features from metastasis, (12) tumors presenting at alternative anatomic sites, (13) squamous cell carcinoma versus urothelial carcinoma, and neuroendocrine neoplasms, including (14) the distinction of pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma from well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor, site of origin assignment in (15) well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor and (16) poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma, and (17) the distinction of well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor G3 from poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma; it concludes with (18) a discussion of diagnostic considerations in the broad-spectrum keratin/CD45/S-100-"triple-negative" neoplasm.

Endoscopic features of submucosal invasive non-ampullary duodenal carcinomas

BACKGROUND AND AIM

It is imperative to distinguish superficial non-ampullary duodenal carcinomas (NADCs) between intramucosal and submucosal invasive carcinoma for treatment selection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinicopathological differences of intramucosal and submucosal carcinoma.

METHODS

This was a retrospective, single-center study comprising 134 patients with 137 superficial NADCs during May 2005 and March 2018. Clinicopathological characteristics and treatment outcomes data were used to perform a comparative analysis of endoscopic findings, preoperative diagnoses of depth of cancer, and treatment outcomes of histologically diagnosed intramucosal and submucosal carcinoma.

RESULTS

Of the 137 NADCs, 125 (91%) were intramucosal, and 12 (9%) were submucosal. The proportion of submucosal carcinoma was significantly higher on the oral side of the papilla than on the anal side (16% vs 1%, P = 0.002). Submucosal tumor-like appearance was more frequent in submucosal than in intramucosal carcinoma (58% vs 13%, P = 0.001). There was no significant difference in tumor diameter between the groups, but 33% of submucosal carcinomas were ≤ 10 mm. Correct preoperative diagnosis of depth was achieved in 33% of submucosal carcinoma. Submucosal carcinoma was frequently underestimated when tumor diameters were ≤ 10 mm. Conversely, intramucosal carcinoma was frequently overestimated when the tumor was ≥ 30 mm and had thickness or giant nodules. Lymph node metastasis was found in one submucosal carcinoma patient.

CONCLUSIONS

The possibility of submucosal invasion should be considered when NADCs are located on the oral side of the papilla or have submucosal tumor-like appearance even if tumor diameters are ≤ 10 mm.

Patterns of chromosome 18 loss of heterozygosity in multifocal ileal neuroendocrine tumors

Ileal neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) represent the most common neoplasm of the small intestine. Although up to 50% of patients with ileal NETs are diagnosed with multifocal disease, the mechanisms by which multifocal ileal NETs arise are not yet understood. In this study, we analyzed genome-wide sequencing data to examine patterns of copy number variation in 40 synchronous primary ileal NETs derived from three patients. Chromosome (chr) 18 loss of heterozygosity (LOH) was the most frequent copy number alteration identified; however, not all primary tumors from the same patient had evidence of this LOH. Our data revealed three distinct patterns of chr18 allelic loss, indicating that primary tumors from the same patient can present different LOH patterns including retention of either parental allele. In conclusion, our results are consistent with the model that multifocal ileal NETs originate independently. In addition, they suggest that there is no specific germline allele on chr18 that is the target of somatic LOH.

Small bowel enteroscopy - A joint clinical guideline by the Spanish and Portuguese small-bowel study groups

The present evidence-based guidelines are focused on the use of device-assisted enteroscopy in the management of small-bowel diseases. A panel of experts selected by the Spanish and Portuguese small-bowel study groups reviewed the available evidence focusing on the main indications of this technique, its role in the management algorithm of each indication, and its diagnostic and therapeutic yield. A set of recommendations was issued accordingly.

Clinical outcomes of patients with duodenal adenocarcinoma and intestinal-type papilla of Vater adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Duodenal adenocarcinoma (DA) and intestinal-type papilla of Vater adenocarcinoma (it-PVA) are rare malignancies of the gastrointestinal tract. Current therapeutic options are translated nowadays from treatment strategies for patients with colorectal cancer due to histopathological similarities.

AIM

To retrospectively investigate the clinical outcome of patients with DA and it-PVA.

METHODS

All patients with DA and it-PVA diagnosed between 2000 and 2017 were included at two academic centers in the Netherlands. All patients with histopathologically-confirmed DA or it-PVA were eligible for inclusion. Clinical outcome was compared between DA and it-PVA per disease stage. In the subgroup of stage IV disease, survival after local treatment of oligometastases was compared with systemic therapy or supportive care.

RESULTS

In total, 155 patients with DA and it-PVA were included. Patients with it-PVA more often presented with stage I disease, while DA was more often diagnosed at stage IV (P < 0.001). Of all patients, 79% were treated with curative intent. The median survival was 39 mo, and no difference in survival was found for patients with DA and it-PVA after stratification for disease stage. Seven (23%) of 31 patients with synchronous stage IV disease underwent resection of the primary tumor, combined with local treatment of oligometastases. Local treatment of metastases was associated with an overall survival of 37 mo, compared to 14 and 6 mo for systemic therapy and supportive care, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Survival of patients with DA and it-PVA is comparable per disease stage. These results suggest a potential benefit for local treatment strategies in selected patients with oligometastases, although additional prospective studies are needed.

Small Bowel Adenocarcinoma: Is There a Difference in Survival for Crohn's Versus Sporadic Cases?

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

It is well known that Crohn's disease is a risk factor for the development of small bowel adenocarcinoma. However, the association between Crohn's disease-associated small bowel adenocarcinoma and survival is less understood. The goal of this study was to determine the impact of Crohn's disease on survival in small bowel adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

Patients with small bowel adenocarcinoma, either associated with Crohn's disease or diagnosed sporadic, were identified in the National Cancer Database from 2004-2016. The primary outcome was overall survival.

RESULTS

Of 2668 patients, 493 had Crohn's disease-associated small bowel adenocarcinoma and 2175 had sporadic small bowel adenocarcinoma. Crohn's disease patients were more likely to present at a younger age [62 vs 65, p < 0.001], have tumours located in the ileum [62.7% vs 25.0%, p < 0.001], and have poorly differentiated tumours [47.0% vs 31.7%, p < 0.001] compared with sporadic small bowel adenocarcinoma. Factors associated with significantly decreased survival included older age (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.02, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-1.03, p < 0.00)], higher Charlson score [HR: 1.39, 95% CI: 1.13-1.72, p = 0.002], higher tumour grade [HR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.04-1.14, p < 0.001], positive surgical margins [HR: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.39-1.84, p < 0.001], and higher stage of disease [HR: 1.90, 3.75, 8.13, 95% CI: 1.37-2.64, 2.68-5.24, 5.77-11.47, for II, III, IV, respectively, compared with I, all p < 0.001]. Receipt of chemotherapy was associated with significantly improved survival [HR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.53-0.70, p < 0.001]. Crohn's disease [HR: 1.01, 95% CI: 0.99-1.02, p = 0.39], was not significantly associated with survival.

CONCLUSION

Compared with sporadic patients, Crohn's disease patients have similar overall survival, and Crohn's disease is not an independent risk factor for mortality.

Clinicopathological and Molecular Characterisation of Crohn's Disease-associated Small Bowel Adenocarcinomas

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Small bowel adenocarcinoma [SBA] is a recognised complication of Crohn's disease [CD], but its low absolute prevalence limits opportunities for clinicopathological characterisation.

METHODS

We compared the clinical, pathological, and molecular features of 48 SBA from patients with CD [CDSBA] and 29 SBAs from patients without CD [NSBA] who underwent treatment at our tertiary care centre between 2000 and 2018.

RESULTS

Patients with CDSBA were younger than those with NSBA [mean age, 56 vs 64; p = 0.02]. Males predominated in both groups. Most CDSBA [69%] occurred in the ileum, whereas most NSBA occurred in the duodenum [38%] and jejunum [31%; p < 0.001]. Stage I tumours were more prevalent in the CDSBA [33% vs 3%; p = 0.002], although the rates of Stage IV disease and disease-specific mortality were similar in both groups. CDSBA were less likely to present a discrete mass [35% vs 93%; p < 0.001] and were more often stricturing or fistulising [75% vs 10%, respectively, p < 0.001] than NSBA. Microscopically, CDSBA were relatively heterogeneous, exhibiting at least three distinct growth patterns in 39% compared with 1% of NSBA [p = 0.01]. Low-grade tubuloglandular adenocarcinoma was the predominant pattern in 19% of CDSBA compared with 0% of NSBA [p = 0.003]. CDSBA were more frequently DNA mismatch repair proficient [90% vs 62%; p = 0.04] and exhibited profiles of frequently mutated genes similar to those of NSBA, except for IDH1 [18%] and SMAD4 [12%] mutations that occurred uniquely in CDSBA.

CONCLUSIONS

These observations, based on the largest single-centre series described hitherto, establish that CDSBA is a distinct clinical, pathological, and molecular entity.

Prognostic relevance of programmed death-ligand 1 expression and microsatellite status in small bowel adenocarcinoma

Background: Small bowel adenocarcinoma (SBA) is a dreadful disease. Patient prognosis is limited due to late presentation and ineffective chemotherapy. PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint immunotherapy is regarded as a promising approach in several cancer entities. The association of PD-1/PD-L1 expression and its impact on patient prognosis with SBA is unclear. Material and methods: Seventy-five consecutive patients who underwent surgery for SBA were retrospectively analyzed and stained for PD-L1 expression in the tumour or the stroma. Analysis of mismatch repair genes was performed to determine microsatellite status. Kaplan-Meier estimate was used to analyze patient survival. Univariate and multivariable Cox regression-analyses were used to assess the impact of PD-L1 expression and microsatellite status on patient survival.Results: PD-L1 was weakly upregulated within the tumour or the stroma and associated with prolonged survival (p = .0071 and p = .0472, respectively). Fifty-one tumours (68%) revealed microsatellite stability (MSS) and 24 tumours (32%) were microsatellite instable (MSI) without correlating with patient survival (p = .611). Neither PD-L1 expression in the tumour nor in the stroma was identified as an independent risk factor influencing survival (p = .572 and p = .3055).Conclusion: Although PD-L1 expression is associated with prolonged survival, it was not identified as an independent prognostic marker. Microsatellite status did not influence long-term survival.

The evolving role of imaging for small bowel neuroendocrine neoplasms: estimated impact of imaging and disease-free survival in a retrospective observational study

PURPOSE

To determine how small bowel neuroendocrine neoplasms (SBNEN's) are diagnosed and examine the effect of CT enterography (CTE) on diagnosis and rates of disease-free survival.

METHODS

Histopathologically-confirmed SBNEN's diagnosed at our institution between 1996 and 2016 were identified. Clinical presentation, radiology, endoscopy, surgery, and pathology reports were reviewed and compared between consecutive 5-year periods.

RESULTS

Of the 178 SBNEN initially diagnosed at our institution, the incidence increased 12-fold from 9 (during 1996-2000) to 114 (during 2011-2016). Comparing the first 5 to the last 5 years, GI bleeding and abdominal pain increased significantly as indications (with both increasing from 0 to > 25%, p ≤ 0.023). Initial diagnosis by radiology increased 2-fold [from 33% (n = 3) to 66% (n = 75); p = 0.263]. Detection of a small bowel mass and the suggestion that SBNEN was present varied significantly between imaging modalities (p < 0.0001; CTE - 95% (52/55) and 91% (50/55) vs. abdominal CT 45% (37/85) and 35% (29/85), respectively). Recurrence rates increased with SBNEN size (p = 0.012; e.g., of SBNEN diagnosed by endoscopy, 18% of SBNEN measuring 0.6 ± 0.3 cm recurred vs. 75% measuring 3.7 ± 1.0 cm). Rates of disease-free survival, and the incidence of local and liver metastases were decreased when tumors were first identified by CTE rather than other CT/MR imaging modalities (p = 0.0034, 0.0475, and 0.0032, respectively).

CONCLUSION

There has been a dramatic increase in SBNENs detected by CTE and endoscopy over the last 20 years. SBNEN's detected by CTE and small tumors detected at endoscopy have longer disease-free survival after surgical resection.

Application of Convolutional Neural Networks for Detection of Superficial Nonampullary Duodenal Epithelial Tumors in Esophagogastroduodenoscopic Images

OBJECTIVES

A superficial nonampullary duodenal epithelial tumor (SNADET) is defined as a mucosal or submucosal sporadic tumor of the duodenum that does not arise from the papilla of Vater. SNADETs rarely metastasize to the lymph nodes, and most can be treated endoscopically. However, SNADETs are sometimes missed during esophagogastroduodenoscopic examination. In this study, we constructed a convolutional neural network (CNN) and evaluated its ability to detect SNADETs.

METHODS

A deep CNN was pretrained and fine-tuned using a training data set of the endoscopic images of SNADETs (duodenal adenomas [N = 65] and high-grade dysplasias [HGDs] [N = 31] [total 531 images]). The CNN evaluated a separate set of images from 26 adenomas, 8 HGDs, and 681 normal tissue (total 1,080 images). The gold standard for both the training data set and test data set was a "true diagnosis" made by board-certified endoscopists and pathologists. A detected tumor was marked with a rectangular frame on the endoscopic image. If it overlapped at least a part of the "true tumor" diagnosed by board-certified endoscopists, the CNN was considered to have "detected" the SNADET.

RESULTS

The trained CNN detected 94.7% (378 of 399) of SNADETs on an image basis (94% [280 of 298] of adenomas and 100% [101 of 101] of HGDs) and 100% on a tumor basis. The time needed for screening the 399 images containing SNADETs and all 1,080 images (including normal images) was 12 and 31 seconds, respectively.

DISCUSSION

We used a novel algorithm to construct a CNN for detecting SNADETs in a short time.

Robotic-assisted complete mesocolic excision, central vascular ligation and para-aortic lymph node dissection in multifocal carcinoid: A case report and technical description

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Neuroendocrine tumours are the most common type of small bowel neoplasm.

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Robotic technique may be superior to open technique for lymph node dissection.

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Robotic-assisted complete mesocolic excision is a safe and effective technique.

Introduction

Neuroendocrine tumours are the most common type of primary small bowel neoplasm. Consensus guidelines recommend a multimodal approach to treatment of such tumours, with aggressive surgical resection remaining the mainstay of management. There is evidence that complete mesocolic excision (CME) of lymph nodes is associated with superior oncological outcomes including longer disease-free survival in patients with colorectal cancer than standard lymph node dissection and there is increasing evidence to suggest that the robotic approach may be superior to laparoscopic or open CME. This report discusses a robotic-assisted approach to CME with central vessel ligation (CVL) and para-aortic lymph node dissection in a case of multifocal neuroendocrine tumour of the small bowel.

Presentation of case and technical approach

This report details the case of a 73-year-old male with multifocal small bowel neuroendocrine tumour. He underwent a robotic-assisted right hemicolectomy, small bowel resection, CME, CVL and para-aortic lymph node dissection. The approach described involved undertaking CME, CVL and bowel resection with a standard right hemicolectomy robotic set-up before re-docking the robot to perform the retroperitoneal para-aortic lymph node dissection.

Discussion

This case highlights the management of multifocal small bowel neuroendocrine tumour using a robotic approach for surgical resection and lymph node clearance.

Conclusion

The robotic approach provides a safe and effective technique for undertaking surgical resection of small bowel neuroendocrine tumour as well as complete mesocolic excision of lymph nodes. With a change in port positions, a robotic approach can be utilised for CME/CVL as well as retroperitoneal node dissection.

Clinical characteristics of small bowel tumors diagnosed by double-balloon endoscopy: Experience from a Chinese tertiary hospital

BACKGROUND/AIMS

To determine the characteristics of small bowel tumors (SBTs) in patients underwent double balloon endoscopy (DBE) and to compare the clinical value of DBE with other diagnostic tools.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted in patients underwent DBE procedures from March 2008 to April 2017.The demographic, clinical and pathological characteristics of patients with SBTs were recorded, while the diagnosis of SBTs was achieved either by DBE biopsy or surgical specimens.

RESULTS

One thousand one hundred and two patients (761 males, range 3-85 years) were enrolled in this study, with 1140 procedures completed in total. 99/1102 patients (9.0%) had SBTs, including benign polyps (20, 20.2%), gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) (24, 24.2%), lymphomas (13, 13.1%), adenocarcinoma (39, 39.4%), and neuroendocrine tumors (3, 3.0%). The most common clinical symptom for benign polyps was obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) (75.0%). But among patients with malignant SBTs, the main indication for DBE was chronic abdominal pain (43.8%), followed by OGIB (36.3%), vomit (10.0%), abnormal images (6.3%) and diarrhea (3.8%) (P<0.001). Moreover, SBTs were primarily located in the jejunum alone (40/99, 40.4%). DBE had better sensitivity (89.2%), specificity (95.2%), positive predictive value (PPV) (90.0%), and negative predictive value (NPV) (94.8%) than other tools for suspected SBTs.

CONCLUSION

Small bowel tumor is mainly located in jejunum and with OGIB and abdominal pain as major complaints. DBE is a reliable method for the diagnosis of SBTs compared with other diagnostic tools.

American Registry of Pathology Expert Opinions: Evaluation of poorly differentiated malignant neoplasms on limited samples - Gastrointestinal mucosal biopsies

This review reflects a collaboration between the American Registry of Pathology (the publisher of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology Fascicles) and Annals of Diagnostic Pathology. It is part of a series of expert recommendations on topics encountered in daily practice. The authors, three pathologists with expertise in gastrointestinal tract pathology and immunohistochemistry, met on 30 July 2019 tasked with developing expert recommendations for evaluating poorly differentiated and undifferentiated malignant neoplasms encountered on mucosal biopsies of the gastrointestinal tract. We focused on esophageal, gastric, small intestinal, colorectal, and anal (i.e., tubal gut) samples. When faced with diagnostic uncertainty on the initial H&E, it is best to begin by trying to assign the broad tumor class with screening markers such as pankeratin, S100 protein or SOX10, and CD20 or CD45. Once a broad tumor class is established, more specific differentiation markers can be pursued (e.g., lineage-restricted transcription factors for adenocarcinoma; p40 for squamous cell carcinoma; chromogranin A and synaptophysin or INSM1 for neuroendocrine neoplasms). Every small biopsy containing tumor should be considered a potential molecular pathology sample; cutting extra unstained slides with this testing in mind is strongly encouraged.

Trends in incidence of small bowel cancer according to histology: a population-based study

BACKGROUND

Small bowel cancer is not a single entity. Population-based studies taking into account histological diversity are scarce. The aim of this study was to report on their trends in incidence by histology in France over the past 20 years.

METHODS

All patients with a small bowel cancer diagnosed in 15 French administrative areas covered by a registry from the network of French cancer registries (FRANCIM) were included. Age-standardized incidence rates were estimated using the world standard population. Incidence rates were calculated by gender, age group, histology, and 5-year period.

RESULTS

The overall age-standardized incidence rates were 1.46/100,000 inhabitants in men and 0.9/100,000 inhabitants in women. Adenocarcinoma was the most common histological type (38%), followed by neuroendocrine tumors (35%), lymphoma (15%) and sarcoma (12%). Age at diagnosis and tumor location differed between adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine tumors. The incidence of all four tumor types increased significantly over the 20-year period, with the exception of lymphoma in men. The annual percentage change for neuroendocrine tumors was 3.89% in men and 3.61% in women; for sarcoma, it was 3.38% and 4.08%, respectively. The incidence of adenocarcinoma and lymphoma also increased in women with an annual percentage change of 3.05% and 3.32%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Small bowel cancer incidence has increased over time. This increase occurred with different amplitudes and patterns in the four major histological types. The improvement in imaging techniques could partly explain this increase. It is necessary to determine whether predisposing conditions may contribute to this change.

Unexpected Finding of a Small Intestinal Neuroendocrine Tumor: A Case Report and Literature Review

Patient: Male, 70-year-old

Final Diagnosis: Neuroendocrine tumor

Symptoms: Abdominal pain

Medication: —

Clinical Procedure: CT scan • laparoscopy

Specialty: Surgery

Carcinoid Tumor: Advances in Treatment Options

Small bowel neoplasms are rare, accounting for only 3%-6% of all gastrointestinal neoplasms. Carcinoid tumors represent a large portion of these (20%-30%), making them the second most common small bowel malignancy after adenocarcinoma. Gastrointestinal carcinoids constitute 70% of all neuroendocrine tumors, and out of those, 42% originate in the small bowel. They are predominantly seen in older patients around the age of 65 years. From 1973 to 2004, there has been more than a fourfold increase in the incidence of carcinoid tumors. This can be probably due to increased diagnostic accuracy rather than an actual increase in the number of new cases. The workup of a suspicious case of gastrointestinal bleeding consists of esophagogastroduodenoscopy and/or colonoscopy, and other imaging tests including video capsule endoscopy and balloon-assisted endoscopy. Management of the tumors is dependent on the size and location of the lesion. Treatment options include surgery, endoscopic removal of tumors, and various immunotherapy and chemotherapeutic agents.

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy: how far should we go? A point of view

N.A.

Small bowel adenocarcinoma incarcerated within an inguinal hernia

Background

Small bowel adenocarcinomas are rare malignant tumors that account for less than 2% of gastrointestinal malignancies. In addition, tumor incarceration in an inguinal hernia is also rare entity. We herein report a first case of small bowel adenocarcinoma incarcerated within an inguinal hernia.

Case presentation

A 75-year-old man with asymptomatic anemia (hemoglobin, 8.6 g/dl) had a checkup at our hospital. Colonoscopy revealed bleeding through the ileocecal valve and an annular stricture by a tumor in the ileum. Endoscopic biopsy revealed a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma of the small bowel. Enhanced computed tomography showed a hypervascular solid tumor incarcerated within a right inguinal hernia. With a diagnosis of small bowel adenocarcinoma incarcerated within a right inguinal hernia, the patient underwent elective laparotomy with midline excision. The small bowel tumor, located at 30 cm from the terminal ileum, was incarcerated within a right inguinal hernia, and the small bowel was adherent to the hernia sac. A 24-cm segment of the distal ileum and regional lymph nodes were resected. The hernia sac was ligated, and the bottom of the hernia sac was resected. The hernia orifice was closed by tissue repair technique via a standard oblique incision in the right inguinal region. Postoperatively, the patient remains well with no evidence of tumor or hernia recurrence as of 1 year after operation.

Conclusions

We reported to our knowledge the first case of small bowel adenocarcinoma incarcerated within an inguinal hernia.

A rare case of brain metastasis from poorly differentiated small bowel adenocarcinoma

Background:

Small bowel adenocarcinoma (SBA) accounts for <2% of all gastrointestinal malignancies. The most common organs of SBA metastases are the abdominal lymph node, liver, and peritoneum. There have been almost no reports of brain metastases of SBA. Dabaja et al. reported 1 case of brain metastasis out of 217 SBA cases, but details of the clinical course of the case were unclear. Our case might be the first report covering the full clinical course, pathological findings, and genetic data. Here, we report a very rare case of brain metastasis from poorly differentiated SBA.

Case Description:

A 54-year-old man who suffered from abdominal pain and melena visited a nearby hospital. This patient had no risk factors for SBA. He underwent partial resection of the jejunum with regional lymphadenectomy and combined resection of the transverse colon. Pathological diagnosis was poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, pT4N2M0 Stage IIIB (UICC-TNM: 8^th edition). One month after curative surgery, liver metastasis was detected by a computed tomography (CT) scan, and then, palliative chemotherapy was started. During the third-line chemotherapy, a brain tumor on the left cerebellum was detected by the CT scan. Tumor resection was performed, and the histopathological features coincided with the primary jejunum tumor. Based on surgical, radiological, pathological, and genetic findings, this brain tumor was comprehensively diagnosed as a metastasis from poorly differentiated SBA.

Conclusion:

Here, we experienced a very rare case of brain metastasis from poorly differentiated SBA.

A case of small bowel adenocarcinoma wherein nivolumab conferred temporary benefit in disease control

Small bowel adenocarcinomas are rare. There is no definite consensus as to whether they should be treated in a manner similar to gastric or to colon cancer. We report the case of a young woman with a primary jejunal adenocarcinoma, bilateral ovary metastases, and peritoneal dissemination. First- and second-line chemotherapy for the gastric cancer failed. She was then treated with the immune checkpoint inhibitor nivolumab and had temporary improvement in her condition. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case wherein nivolumab has been used to treat small bowel adenocarcinoma.

De novo myeloid sarcoma as a rare cause of small bowel obstruction: CT findings and histopathologic correlation

Small bowel obstruction caused by myeloid sarcoma in a patient with any hematological abnormality is very rare. Myeloid sarcoma occurs most commonly in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and less with other hematological disorders. A 57-year-old female presented with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and constipation. Radiological studies showed concentric bowel thickening in distal ileum that caused nearly total luminal compromise and signs of obstruction in proximal ileal bowel loops. She underwent laparotomic surgery and ileal resection was done. Diagnosis of myeloid sarcoma was made by histopathological examination of surgical specimens. Bone marrow biopsy was done to rule out systemic acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Results of bone marrow biopsy were within normal limits. Finally, the patient was diagnosed as de novo myeloid sarcoma. Although the histopathological examination makes a definitive diagnosis, imaging allows to locate the lesion, evaluate its complications, and guide for correct biopsy. Accurate diagnosis of myeloid sarcoma has important prognostic value as transformation to AML can happen without chemotherapy or stem cell transplantation.

Primary small intestinal neuroendocrine tumors are highly prevalent and often multiple before metastatic disease develops

BACKGROUND

Small intestinal neuroendocrine tumors are the most common of small bowel malignancies with a clinical incidence of about 1 per 100,000 persons per year. There has been a threefold increase in the incidence of small intestinal neuroendocrine tumor during later decades, but there are no studies that clarify whether this is due to a true higher incidence or if the rise is a mere product of, for instance, improved diagnostic modalities. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of clinical as well as subclinical small intestinal neuroendocrine tumors found at autopsy as well as describing the frequency of concomitant malignancies in patients with small intestinal neuroendocrine tumor.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An autopsy registry from the Malmö county population from 1970 to 1982 with an 87% autopsy rate was used. The clinical autopsy reports for patients coded for the existence of "carcinoid tumor" were scrutinized for the presence of small intestinal neuroendocrine tumor, metastatic disease, and concomitant malignancies. Details of patients with clinically diagnosed small intestinal neuroendocrine tumor during this time period were gathered from the Swedish Cancer Registry.

RESULTS

The mean annual incidence of small intestinal neuroendocrine tumor during this period was 5.33 per 100,000 individuals, and the mean annual prevalence was 581 per 100,000. The cause of death in the majority of cases was not due to small intestinal neuroendocrine tumor. In total, 48% of the people with small intestinal neuroendocrine tumor had at least one other malignancy, most commonly colorectal cancer.

CONCLUSION

Most small intestinal neuroendocrine tumors are subclinical, and persons living with them will often die due to other causes. There was a high rate of multiple primary tumors (40%), suggesting that multiple tumors seem to arise before the advent of metastatic disease. Moreover, a comparably high rate of associated colorectal carcinoma was found.

Survival trends of metastatic small intestinal neuroendocrine tumor: a population-based analysis of SEER database

Background

Incidence of small intestinal neuroendocrine tumors (SNETs) is increasing and they now comprise the most common types of small intestinal cancer. SNETs frequently present with distant metastasis. Significant uncertainty prevails with regards to the surgical management strategies in metastatic SNETs. Therefore, we aim to analyze survival trends in metastatic SNET patients stratified by type of surgical treatment.

Methods

We analyzed the data from the SEER database: Incidence - SEER 18 Regs Research Data + Hurricane Katrina Impacted Louisiana Cases, Nov 2016 Sub (1973-2014 varying). Relative survival rates (RSRs) and hazard ratios (HRs) were measured for patients diagnosed with metastatic SNET between 2000 and 2014. Treatment received was divided into two broad categories; surgical resection and no surgery and further subcategorized into local resection (LR) (surgery of the primary tumor only) and radical resection (RR) (surgery for primary tumor and metastasectomy).

Results

We identified 1,138 metastatic SNET cases. Median age was 61 years. Median survival was 41 months and 5 year RSR was 72%. Age >50 years (HR 2.10, P<0.001), poorly differentiated histology (HR 3.50, P<0.001) and tumor size >2 cm (HR 1.27, P=0.07), showed poor outcome. The group which did not receive any tumor directed surgery showed the worst survival (5 years RSR 45.30% vs. 76%, respectively for no surgery vs. surgery group, P<0.001). We found no significant difference in survival between LR and RR (HR 1.01, 95% CI: 0.73-1.40, P=0.92). Upon further stratification, surgery significantly improved survival on patients who were >50 years (HR 0.37), and for primary tumor location in the duodenum (HR 0.13).

Conclusions

Surgery for the primary tumor (LR or RR) significantly improved 5-year survival even in the presence of distant metastasis irrespective of primary tumor size, grade, or histology. Poor prognostic factors include, age >50 years, duodenal primary, tumor size >2 cm, and poorly differentiated histology.

Rare presentation of small bowel adenocarcinoma with neuroendocrine differentiation in the jejunum: A case report and summary of diagnostic and management options

Cancer of the small bowel (SB) is rare. The most common SB malignancy is neuroendocrine, followed by adenocarcinoma. SB adenocarcinoma with overlapping neuroendocrine differentiation (NED) is very uncommon. The present case report discusses the case of a young African American female who presented with high-grade SB perforation and underwent urgent surgical repair. Histology of the tumor revealed jejunal adenocarcinoma with NED. To the best of our knowledge, this type of tumor has not yet been reported in the jejunum. Referring patients that present with insidious and nonspecific abdominal discomfort for imaging studies that are more sensitive to the SB could potentially identify tumors earlier, prevent the development of emergent gastrointestinal complications and offer a chance for cure. An overview of diagnostic tools for SB evaluation was provided.

Clinical Outcomes of Small Bowel Adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Small bowel adenocarcinomas (SBAs) are rare tumors. Management of SBA is extrapolated from colorectal cancer treatments. Recent evidence suggests that the biology and molecular features of SBA differ from colorectal cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the management and outcome of SBA patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) was queried for patients with SBA between 2004 and 2013 using ICD-O-3 histology code 8140/3 and topography codes C17.0, C17.1, C17.2, C17.8, and C17.9. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were conducted to analyze the association between SBA location and overall survival (OS) stratified by stage. Treatment outcomes of surgery, radiation, and systemic therapy were compared.

RESULTS

A total of 7954 SBA patients were identified; duodenum (D) 4607 (57.9%), jejunum (J) 1241 (15.6%), ileum (I) 857 (10.8%), and unspecified 1249 (15.7%). A total of 53.6% patients were male, and 76.6% white. Median age was 66 years. D mostly presented as stage IV disease (37.6%), J as stage II (34.5%) and IV disease (33.8%), and I as stage II (32.2%) and III (30.3%) disease (P < .001). Grade distribution was similar among D, J, and I; the majority were moderately differentiated (40.8%-55.0%), followed by poorly differentiated (30.9%-35.8%) and well differentiated (6.0%-12.4%) (P < .001). D underwent surgery (50.2%) less often than J (90.8%) and I (94.5%) (P < .001). Adjuvant radiation was provided in 8.5% of D, 2.6% of J, and 2.1% of I (P < .001). Adjuvant chemotherapy was provided in 21.9% of D, 50.2% of J, and 42.0% of I (P < .001). The rate of adjuvant chemotherapy was the highest in patients with stage III SBA, and was as follows: D (43.4%), J (65.4%), and I (63.6%) (P < .001). In univariate and multivariate analyses of all patients, adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with improved OS in stage II-III SBA patients. J had the best 5-year OS rate (42.0%; 95% confidence interval, 38.8-45.1, P < .001), and D had the worst (23.0%; 95% confidence interval, 21.6-24.2, P < .001). In multivariate analysis stratified by stage, chemotherapy was associated with improved OS in patients with stage II-IV SBA.

CONCLUSION

Most SBA patients present with stage IV disease. D underwent surgery less often than J and I. Stage II and III D received adjuvant chemotherapy less often compared to stage II and III J and I. Adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with improved OS in patients with stage II-III disease. J had the best 5-year OS rate, and D had the worst.