1Division of Gastroenterogic Surgery, Department of Surgery,Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Korea.dockim@jnu.ac.kr 2Department of Surgery, Pathology, Chonnam NationalUniversity Hospital, Gwangju, Korea.
Published online: August 31, 2003.
ABSTRACT
A metastatic carcinoma of the small intestine is rare. Here, the case study of an 80-year-old lung carcinoma patient, with generalized peritonitis due to neoplastic perforation of the small intestine is reported. Pathological studies of a small intestinal mass revealed a metastatic anaplastic carcinoma arising from the lung. Patients with known lung carcinoma, who develop abdominal complaints, should be examined thoroughly. Although it is very difficult to diagnose and treat a metastatic carcinoma of the small intestine, in our judgment, with a greater awareness of this neoplasm, more cases may be diagnosed in the early stages, leading to improved rates of survival.