Primary carcinoma of the duodenum

Duodenal carcinoma is a rare disease associated with a poor prognosis. Six patients with primary carcinoma of the duodenum are described. There were five men and one woman. The mean age was 73 years and the mean duration of symptoms was 10 months. Vomiting, abdominal distension and pain were the most frequent presenting symptoms. Fifty per cent had jaundice and hepatomegaly. The tumour was infra-ampullary in three patients, supra-ampullary in two and peri-ampullary in one. The mean survival was 6.5 months. Increased awareness and earlier detection are needed for improved survival (AU)