Discussing the reliability of segmental resections for distal duodenal tumors: a case report

Abstract

Duodenal tumors are rare neoplasias of the gastrointestinal tract. Despite segmental resections being proposed for tumors located at the distal duodenal segments, there are few studies in recent literature discussing its efficacy with regard to long-term outcomes. The main objective is to put forward the clinical efficacy of segmental resections performed for duodenal tumors with regard to clinical outcomes. Two consecutive adult male patients had been admitted with complaints of abdominal pain, nausea, and upper gastrointestinal bleeding to the Department of General Surgery. After detailed evaluations, they had been diagnosed with obstructing distal duodenal (third and fourth segments) tumors and had undergone segmental resections including lymph node dissections accordingly. Getting benefit from the medical archives of the department, radiological reports, endoscopic evaluations with per-operative findings had been discussed in terms of long-term outcomes. Two patients had undergone (R-0) segmental duodenal resections successfully, as they had been diagnosed with adenocarcinoma. The median length of stay at the hospital was 10.5 days. Two patients who had been diagnosed with adenocarcinoma had taken adjuvant chemotherapy. During 29 months of average follow-up time, no evidence of recurrences had been noted so far. Distal tumors of the duodenum may present with vague symptoms so that there is a delay in diagnosis, unlike the proximally located lesions. Nonetheless, when the diagnosis had been made at an early stage, segmental resections with accurate lymph node dissections are reliable in terms of overall survival.