Jejunal Adenocarcinoma: A Rare Cause of Iron Deficiency Anemia

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

10-2024

Publication Title

American Journal of Gastroenterology

Abstract

Introduction: Small bowel carcinomas (SBC) are uncommon malignancies, comprising less than 5% of all gastrointestinal tract tumors. Small bowel adenocarcinoma (SBA) accounts for approximately 40% of all SBCs and is mainly found in the duodenum. Clinical manifestations of SBAs are usually nonspecific leading to an unfavorable prognosis. We present a case of jejunal adenocarcinoma as a rare cause of iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Case Description/Methods: Our patient is a 55-year-old man with a past history of reflux disease and tobacco use who was was found to have IDA on routine laboratory workup, followed by a positive Cologuard test. He underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and colonoscopy which were unremarkable. Given that a source of bleeding was not identified on standard endoscopic evaluation, a capsule endoscopy was then administered immediately after endoscopy and it revealed a large proximal jejunal ulcer with stigmata of bleeding. Small bowel enteroscopy was done but was unable to reach the jejunal ulcer. Computed tomography abdomen and pelvis showed focal thickening involving the jejunum approximately 6 cm and enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes. He underwent single balloon enteroscopy which showed a large fungating ulcerated jejunal mass with stigmata of recent bleeding that was biopsied (Figure 1). Histological evaluation showed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Flow cytometry analysis was negative for leukemia or lymphoma. Positron emission tomography revealed a hypermetabolic jejunal mass with an adjacent large metastatic mesenteric lymph node, but no distant metastases. He underwent an uneventful small bowel resection and is currently undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy. Discussion: Iron deficiency anemia due to occult gastrointestinal bleeding is a common pathology in clinical practice. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy are a first diagnostic step. However, in 5- 10% of these patients, the endoscopic evaluation is negative for a bleeding source. This case demonstrates the importance of pursuing additional work-up for small bowel visualization especially in patients with positive stool testing. The 2 main non-invasive studies are enterography and video capsule endoscopy. Advanced endoscopic evaluation (single or double balloon enteroscopy) is more invasive but has the advantage of allowing tissue diagnosis if a lesion is found. In our patient, prompt evaluation of the small bowel after an initial negative endoscopy led to a diagnosis of SBA at an earlier stage, amenable to surgical therapy with curative intent.

Volume

119

Issue

10S

First Page

S3050

Comments

American College of Gastroenterology Annual Scientific Meeting, October 25-30, 2024, Philadelphia, PA

Last Page

S3051

DOI

10.14309/01.ajg.0001048712.24653.29

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