Objective: To improve the diagnosis and treatment of primary duodenal carcinoma.
Method: The records of 18 patients with primary carcinoma of the duodenum were reviewed.
Result: 7 cases underwent pancreatoduodenectomy: segmental duodenectomy (1), intraoperative death (1), survived 3 years (2), and survived 5 years after operation (3). 7 cases underwent gastroenterostomy or cholangioenterostomy; they died in 11 months after operation. Three cases who received biopsy only died in six months after operation.
Conclusion: The understanding of duodenal carcinoma is the key factor for early diagnosis. The appropriate examinations are necessary for suspected patients. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, the result of surgical treatment is improved.