Primary adenocarcinoma of the ileum causing obstruction in an 84-year-old patient – a case report

Abstract

Although small bowel adenocarcinoma is a rare cancer, with estimated incidence rate of 4 cases per million persons it is the most common small bowel tumour. Diagnosis of early-stage disease is difficult due to non-specific symptoms. Patients are usually treated on an emergency basis due to gastrointestinal obstruction or bleeding. The paper presents a case report of an 84-year-old female who underwent surgical treatment due to bowel obstruction caused by ileum cancer, and in whom diagnostic imaging did not allow for a correct diagnosis. The surgery was complicated by intestinal fistula. Histopathology confirmed local tumour progression. After treatment completion, the patient was referred for further anti-cancer treatment.