Small Bowel Metastases: Tumor Markers for Diagnosis and Role of Surgical Palliation

Metastatic Melanoma to the Small Bowel and Colon: A Systematic Review of the Global Experience and Institutional Cohort Analysis Detailing a Rare Clinical Entity

INTRODUCTION

Cutaneous melanoma is among the most common solid tumors to metastasize to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Literature summarizing the clinical experience and features of this unique pathology is lacking.

METHODS

A systematic review of the available literature reporting clinically salient features of melanoma metastases to the small and large intestines was conducted. Additionally, we surveyed our institutional experience of surgically treated melanoma metastasis to the small bowel and colon. A descriptive analysis was performed. Kaplan-Meier curves with log-rank tests were used to analyze time-to-event intervals. Univariable and multivariable Cox logistic regression models were generated to identify predictors of survival.

RESULTS

Over 100 studies including 1153 patients were included. GI metastases predominantly affected males, were in the small bowel/jejunum, equally presented as solitary and multiple lesions, and were generally not the first site of distant metastatic disease. The median time from primary lesion diagnosis to GI metastasis was 48 months. Analysis of our institutional cohort suggested that survival in patients receiving complete GI-specific surgical resection and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) was prolonged compared to palliative resection and without ICI therapy. Positive prognostic factors for survival following GI metastasis included fewer GI metastatic lesions, complete resection, and longer duration between primary tumor diagnosis and GI metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

GI metastases are a sign of advanced metastatic melanoma. Clinical suspicion of metastatic involvement in patients with a history of melanoma who develop any abdominal symptoms or anemia should remain high. Receipt of complete surgical resection and ICIs may prolong survival in disseminated melanoma.

Ileocecal Intussusception of the Adult Induced By the Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor of the Ileocecal Valve – A Case Report

Adult intussusception is a rare entity which is distinct from paediatric cases in incidence, aetiology, and management. It represents 5% of all intussusceptions and is the cause of 1% of all intestinal obstructions, 0,08% of all abdominal surgeries and 0,003-0,02% of all hospital admissions. Ileocolic intussusception in adults is a unique variant in which nearly 100% of cases have a malignant lead point. In our report, we described a case of a patient with ileocecal intussusception caused by a rare type of the gastrointestinal tumor. The female patient was admitted to hospital for occasional pain in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen followed by abdominal discomfort and appearance of blood in the stool. The result of CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis showed a tumor mass and intussusception at the ileocecal junction, which was confirmed peroperatively. Open right hemicolectomy was performed adhering to oncological principles. The final pathologic diagnosis indicated the gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the ileocecal valvе. The diagnosis of intussusception in adults is delicate, and timely surgical treatment can be vital. Patients with the palpable abdominal mass, digestive tract obstruction, gastrointestinal bleeding, or lead point computed tomography must undergo a surgical examination. Given a high risk of malignancy, primary surgical resection using oncologic principles presents the best option for the treatment of ileocecal intussusception in adults.

Adult intussusception: A case series and review

AIM

To identify factors differentiating pathologic adult intussusception (AI) from benign causes and the need for an operative intervention. Current evidence available from the literature is discussed.

METHODS

This is a case series of eleven patients over the age of 18 and a surgical consultation for "Intussusception" at a single veteran's hospital over a five-year period (2011-2016). AI was diagnosed on computed tomography (CT) scan and or flexible endoscopy (colonoscopy). Surgical referrals were from the emergency room, endoscopy suites and the radiologists.

RESULTS

A total of 11 cases, 9 males and 2 females were diagnosed with AI. Median age was 58 years. Abdominal pain and change in bowel habits were most common symptoms. CT scan and or colonoscopy diagnosed AI, in ten/eleven (90%) patients. There were 6 small bowel-small bowel, 4 ileocecal, and 1 sigmoid-rectal AI. 8 patients (72%) needed an operation. Bowel resection was required and definitive pathology was diagnosed in 7 patients (63%). Five patients had malignant and 2 patients had benign etiology. Small bowel enteroscopy excluded pathology in 4 cases (37%) with AI. Younger patients tend to have a benign diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

Majority of AI have malignant etiology however idiopathic intussusception is being seen more frequently. Operative intervention remains the mainstay however, certain small bowel intussusception especially in younger patients may be a benign, physiological, transient phenomenon and laparoscopy with reduction or watchful waiting may be an acceptable strategy. These patients should undergo endoscopic or capsule endoscopy to exclude intrinsic luminal lesions.