ADENOCARCINOMA OF DUODENUM AT THE DUODENOJEJUNAL FLEXURE
(Abstract): Adenocarcinoma of the duodenum is an exceedingly rare condition representing not
more than 0.3% to 0.4% of all gastrointestinal tract cancers. Clinical presentation is usually due to
partial or complete obstruction of the duodenum. Computed tomography scan has a high accuracy
in detecting metastatic spread to stage the disease. CASE REPORT: A 60 year woman presented
with chief complaints of persistent bilious projectile vomiting containing undigested food material
and pain in the upper abdomen since 6 months. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy up to 2nd part of
duodenum revealed no abnormality. Contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) scan of
abdomen showed a dilated stomach and duodenal dilatation up to 4th part along with a concentric
growth seen in the fourth part of duodenum at the duodenojejunal flexure, and multiple
retroperitoneal lymph-adenopathy. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a tumor of the
duodenojejunal flexure with dilatation of all the parts of duodenum and stomach. The tumor was
seen encasing the superior mesenteric vessels and aorta. A palliative gastro-jejunostomy was
performed. Patient had an attack of acute myocardial infarction on post-operative day 6th and
expired. Histopathology of the specimen confirmed adenocarcinoma of duodenum.
CONCLUSIONS: Adenocarcinoma of duodenojejunal flexure is extremely rare and sometimes
difficult to diagnose. Computed tomography scan has a high accuracy in detecting the disease and
its metastatic spread to stage the disease. For unresectable tumors, palliative gastro-jejunostomy is
the treatment of choice