¹Department of Oncology, Molecular Medicine Program, and Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

Correspondence: Charles Erlichman, MD, Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905

Received 12 April 2004; Revised  0000; Accepted 14 September 2004.

Abstract

Small bowel adenocarcinoma (SBA) is a very rare entity accounting for one-fourth of the small intestine neoplasms. Usually accompanied by nonspecific symptoms occurring late in the course of the disease, they are associated with a dismal prognosis. It appears that SBA shares several genetic characteristics with large bowel tumors, but also has unique features. The purpose of this article is to review pathogenesis and risks factors of SBA to better understand its molecular features as well as its resemblances and dissimilarities with colorectal cancer (CRC). Better understanding of sporadic and hereditary genetic pathways potentially involved will undoubtedly lead to better prevention and therapeutic management of this rare but aggressive disease.