A 55-year-old man presents to his primary care physician with chronic abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, and episodes of gastrointestinal bleeding. He undergoes a series of diagnostic tests, including imaging and endoscopy, which reveal a mass in the small intestine. A biopsy is performed to determine the nature of the tumor.
Which of the following is the most common type of malignant tumor found in the small intestine?
A. Leiomyoma
B. Lymphoma
C. Adenocarcinoma
D. Hemangioma
Answer:
The Correct Answer is: C. Adenocarcinoma
Explanation:
Adenocarcinoma (C):
– Adenocarcinomas are the most common type of malignant tumor in the small intestine. They originate from the glandular cells lining the small intestine and are typically found in the duodenum.
– Patients often present with non-specific symptoms such as abdominal pain, weight loss, and gastrointestinal bleeding. These tumors can also cause obstruction.
– Diagnosis is confirmed through biopsy and histological examination, which shows glandular formation and cellular atypia.
Explanation of Incorrect Options:
Leiomyoma (A):
– Leiomyomas are the most common benign tumors of the small intestine, not malignant ones. They arise from smooth muscle cells and are often asymptomatic, discovered incidentally.
– While they can cause symptoms like bleeding or obstruction if they grow large, they do not have malignant potential.
Lymphoma (B):
– Lymphomas are malignant tumors of lymphoid tissue and can occur in the small intestine. They are less common than adenocarcinomas as a primary malignancy.
– Symptoms may include abdominal pain, weight loss, and, in some cases, obstruction or perforation.
Hemangioma (D):
– Hemangiomas are benign vascular tumors and are rare in the small intestine. They can cause bleeding but are not malignant.
In summary, while leiomyomas are the most common benign tumors of the small intestine, adenocarcinomas are the most common type of malignant tumor, making option C the correct answer in the context of malignancy.