MALIGNANT TUMORS OF THE DUODENUM

Abstract

ARITY of primary carcinoma of the duodenum has long been emphasized. Like the fallopian tubes and spleen, this viscus enjoys only a relative immunity from involvement with primary carcinoma. The more recent studies1suggest a higher incidence than is generally realized. In a combined series1fnumbering 483,695 autopsies, primary carcinoma of the duodenum was found to be present in 0.035 per cent. Three per cent of all carcinoma occurs in the small intestine, and of this number about half are found in the duodenum (45.6 per cent). To date 483 well documented cases of primary carcinoma of the duodenum have been recorded.1fThis figure represents a well screened series in that the not infrequent vaterian and pancreatic carcinoma which so commonly mimic duodenal carcinoma have been carefully excluded. Sarcoma of the duodenum is extremely rare, its incidence being about 0.003 per cent, or one-tenth that of primary