Diagnosis and staging of small bowel neoplasms

INTRODUCTION — 

Although the small bowel accounts for approximately 90 percent of the overall surface area of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, small bowel tumors are rare. A variety of tumors, both malignant and benign, may arise within the small intestine. Malignant tumors include adenocarcinomas, neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), stromal tumors and other sarcomas, and lymphomas. Benign lesions that may arise in the small bowel include adenomas, leiomyomas, fibromas, and lipomas. (See "Epidemiology and clinical features of small bowel neoplasms".)

Metastatic lesions from various cancers (eg, melanoma, lung, breast, cervix, ovary, endometrium, appendix, and colon) can also involve the small bowel, typically with serosal deposits growing into the muscular and submucosal layers, as can neoplasms associated with polyposis syndromes such as familial adenomatous polyposis syndrome or Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, and conditions such as Crohn disease and celiac disease. (See "Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of familial adenomatous polyposis" and "Peutz-Jeghers syndrome: Clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and management" and "Clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and prognosis of Crohn disease in adults" and "Epidemiology, pathogenesis, and clinical manifestations of celiac disease in adults".)

The diagnosis and staging of small bowel tumors will be reviewed here. The epidemiology, clinical presentation, and treatment of small bowel tumors are discussed separately. (See "Epidemiology and clinical features of small bowel neoplasms" and "Treatment of small bowel neoplasms".)

CLINICAL FEATURES — 

Typically, patients with small intestinal tumors of any type present either with an incidental mass on abdominal imaging or after developing signs and/or symptoms of intestinal disease.

These may include one or more of the following:

●Abdominal pain

●Small bowel obstruction (manifesting as nausea and/or vomiting or, in the case of a duodenal primary, the additional symptom of jaundice)

●Bleeding (manifesting as overt bleeding or unexplained iron-deficiency anemia)

●Anorexia and/or unintentional weight loss

●Bowel perforation (manifesting as acute abdominal pain and signs and symptoms of peritoneal infection)

In addition, patients with lymphoma may present with systemic "B" symptoms (ie, fever, weight loss, drenching night sweats). Malignant tumors are more likely to be symptomatic as compared with benign lesions. (See "Epidemiology and clinical features of small bowel neoplasms", section on 'Clinical presentation' and "Clinical presentation and initial evaluation of non-Hodgkin lymphoma", section on 'Systemic "B" symptoms'.)

In many cases, the diagnosis of a small bowel neoplasm is delayed due to the variable, vague, and nonspecific nature of the presenting symptoms. Therefore, a high index of suspicion is essential for early diagnosis and treatment [1,2]. Early diagnosis and treatment can result in a favorable outcome, as prognosis is closely linked to disease extent for malignant small bowel tumors [3,4]. Further details on the clinical presentation of small bowel neoplasms are discussed separately. (See "Epidemiology and clinical features of small bowel neoplasms", section on 'Clinical presentation'.)

DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION — 

Patients with symptoms suggestive of a small bowel neoplasm and patients with an incidental finding on cross-sectional imaging done for another reason where a small bowel tumor is part of the differential diagnosis should undergo a complete history and physical examination. A minimum laboratory workup should include a complete blood count with differential, measurement of serum metabolic panel with liver function tests and fecal occult blood testing if gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is suspected.

The specific components of the subsequent diagnostic and staging workup depend on the clinical presentation and are addressed in the following sections.

General approach to patients with suggestive symptoms — There is no single method that is best for imaging of the small intestine in a patient with a suspected small bowel tumor. Dedicated small bowel cross-sectional imaging using computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and endoscopic techniques including video capsule endoscopy (VCE), push enteroscopy, and device-assisted enteroscopy (double balloon and single balloon enteroscopy or spiral enteroscopy) are options that may be complementary in establishing a diagnosis. One retrospective study of 257 patients with localized small bowel adenocarcinoma showed that in 197 patients whose diagnostic modalities were known, the diagnosis was made by endoscopy in 38 percent, during surgery in 35 percent, with radiographic imaging in 21 percent, and via VCE in 6 percent [5]. A single diagnostic procedure, however, may be insufficient for a definitive diagnosis, and multiple tests may be needed sequentially to evaluate the small intestine adequately.

Although there is no established best initial testing strategy or sequence of diagnostic tests in general, for patients with a suspected small bowel tumor, it is reasonable to start with the least invasive modality such as VCE if there are no obstructive symptoms, or with dedicated cross-sectional imaging, if obstructive symptoms are present [6]. However, guidelines are not definitive on this issue. (See "Wireless video capsule endoscopy" and "Overview of deep small bowel enteroscopy".)

A suggested approach to patients with specific symptoms is discussed separately. (See 'Our approach to patients with specific symptoms' below.)

Patients with incidental findings — Because of the rarity of small intestinal neoplasms, population-based screening is not performed for any of the tumors that arise in the small bowel. Thus, incidental tumors tend to be detected only in the setting of cross-sectional imaging being performed for unrelated reasons (eg, back pain, kidney stones). In this setting, our diagnostic approach is summarized as follows (algorithm 1):

●If imaging suggests a small intestinal mass and there is no evidence of metastatic disease, we obtain the appropriate endoscopic evaluation (esophagogastroduodenoscopy [EGD], push enteroscopy, ileocolonoscopy, or device-assisted enteroscopy depending on the location of the lesion) to visualize the mass and obtain tissue for pathologic diagnosis.

EGD is typically only able to examine through the second portion of the duodenum, while push enteroscopy can advance into the most proximal parts of the jejunum. Ileocolonoscopy allows examination of the most distal part of the ileum (terminal ileum). Because of its capacity to advance deeply into the small bowel, device-assisted enteroscopy may be the endoscopic procedure of choice. From an antegrade (oral) approach, it may reach as far as the distal jejunum and proximal ileum, and from a retrograde (anal) approach, this technique may allow access to the mid-distal ileum. The success of deep enteroscopy, however, is variable even in expert hands, depending on patient anatomy, endoscopic approach, endoscopist experience and skills, and available facilities. (See "Overview of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (esophagogastroduodenoscopy)" and "Overview of colonoscopy in adults" and "Overview of deep small bowel enteroscopy".)

●If endoscopic evaluation is complete and unremarkable, and if suspicion for invasive malignancy is low, we offer close follow-up with short-interval (eg, three months) cross-sectional imaging.

●If endoscopic evaluation is incomplete, and there is no evidence of obstruction, VCE is used to visualize areas not accessed by endoscopy, although tissue cannot be sampled using this approach.

If suspicion is high for an invasive malignancy, options for further workup include:

•Contrast-enhanced multiphase CT abdomen – A contrast-enhanced multiphase CT abdomen may identify a neuroendocrine tumor (NET), particularly in patients with hepatic metastasis and no clear primary tumor and/or those with diarrhea, flushing, or other functional endocrine symptoms. CT enterography (CTE) is another available option but is used less frequently to diagnose NETs. (See "Diagnosis of carcinoid syndrome and tumor localization", section on 'Computed tomography'.)

•Integrated fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)-CT – An FDG PET-CT may be helpful for lesions that are of sufficient size to be functionally detected, generally >1 cm. However, FDG uptake can also occur with inflammation, and PET-CT imaging does typically not help narrow the differential diagnosis. (See 'PET-CT' below.)

•Somatostatin receptor-based imaging – Somatostatin receptor-based imaging (such as gallium Ga-68 dotatate PET-CT) may be helpful for suspected small bowel NETs. We generally reserve this study for patients with signs and symptoms suspicion for the carcinoid syndrome (eg, diarrhea, cutaneous flushing, liver metastases on cross-sectional imaging studies). (See 'Our approach to patients with specific symptoms' below and 'Somatostatin receptor-based imaging' below.)

•Intraoperative enteroscopy (IOE) or laparoscopy/surgical exploration – In some cases, surgical exploration may be needed to establish the diagnosis. (See 'Surgical exploration' below.)

•What is the role of tumor markers? – Tumor markers including carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), chromogranin A (CgA), urinary levels of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), or others are generally not assessed as part of the diagnosis evaluation for small bowel neoplasms. This is due to low positive predictive value and the lack of specificity and sensitivity for most of these tests in the setting of early-stage disease. (See 'Tumor markers' below.)

Similarly, we do not obtain circulating tumor deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) assays (including multicancer early detection blood tests) as there is insufficient evidence to support their use as part of the diagnostic evaluation of small intestinal malignancies.

Our approach to patients with specific symptoms — Our approach to symptomatic patients depends on the predominant symptom.

Abdominal pain — Abdominal pain of variable duration and quality is the most common symptom of a small bowel neoplasm (see "Epidemiology and clinical features of small bowel neoplasms"):

●If there is suspicion that abdominal pain is due to a small bowel neoplasm, the initial evaluation should include cross-sectional imaging (ie, CT abdomen and pelvis) with intravenous (IV) contrast, provided no contraindications exist. This is often performed shortly after presentation, especially in acute care settings. If initial CT imaging is negative, but suspicion remains high, we obtain CT or MR enterography utilizing oral contrast either before or after direct endoscopy.

●If there is no apparent small bowel lesion or apparent metastatic disease, and suspicion remains high for a neoplasm, direct endoscopy (EGD and/or colonoscopy) may be the next step. Malignancies of the upper GI tract and colon are more common than small bowel tumors and should be excluded as a source of abdominal pain.

●If a lesion is identified, it must be biopsied to allow for accurate diagnosis and to guide management. Biopsy should use the least invasive means possible; percutaneous biopsy may be used to sample suspected metastases, and an endoscopic approach may be used to biopsy a putative primary. If a lesion is accessible with a push enteroscopy or ileocolonoscopy, these procedures should be employed. If the lesion is deeper in the small bowel, device-assisted enteroscopy is the preferred approach depending on the patient's clinical status and available resources. (See "Overview of deep small bowel enteroscopy".)

●If no lesion is identified on cross-sectional imaging or direct endoscopies and suspicion remains high for a neoplasm, VCE may be used as the next step, as long as obstructive symptoms are absent, but tissue cannot be obtained using this approach.

Notably, despite advances and expansions in available diagnostic modalities that target the small bowel, there remains a distinct possibility that these measures may not establish a definitive diagnosis. In such cases, if a strong suspicion for invasive cancer (eg, persistent unexplained abdominal pain, iron-deficiency anemia, weight loss) remains, a surgical referral may be appropriate to evaluate for diagnostic laparoscopy/surgical exploration or IOE. However, if suspicion for malignant etiology is low, follow-up imaging and/or endoscopy with evaluation of blood counts and complete metabolic panel within 6 to 12 weeks may also be reasonable.

Unintentional weight loss/anorexia — The differential diagnosis for unintentional weight loss/anorexia is broad in the absence of any other common symptoms mentioned above. The overall approach is reviewed in detail separately. (See "Approach to the patient with unintentional weight loss".)

Bowel obstruction — Bowel obstructions may occur with benign and/or malignant neoplasms affecting the small bowel (table 1). The differential diagnosis should also include lesions extrinsic to the small bowel (eg, adenopathy, hernia, volvulus, adhesions from prior small bowel surgery), and nonmalignant intrinsic causes (eg, intramural hemorrhage, intussusception) (table 1). (See "Etiologies, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis of mechanical small bowel obstruction in adults".)

Symptoms typically include abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting, early satiety, and constipation, although watery overflow diarrhea is possible with high-grade partial obstructions. Typically, patients will present in the acute care setting and have cross-sectional imaging (often CT abdomen/pelvis) already performed showing a transition point at the site of the primary with or without clear evidence of a mass. (See "Etiologies, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis of mechanical small bowel obstruction in adults".)

As the majority of bowel obstructions do not reflect malignant disease, initial steps include:

●Detailed review of radiographic imaging for areas that are concerning for a mass or regional lymph nodes at the site of obstruction.

●Careful assessment of patient's history regarding clinical symptoms and signs concerning for malignancy, including unexplained iron-deficiency anemia or chronic weight loss, cutaneous flushing, or the presence of "B" type systemic symptoms (ie, fever, night sweats, weight loss) that may raise concern for lymphoma. (See "Clinical presentation and diagnosis of primary gastrointestinal lymphomas".)

For proximal or very distal masses in the small bowel, EGD and/or ileocolonoscopy can be conducted for examination, biopsy, and definitive diagnosis. Push enteroscopy and device-assisted enteroscopy techniques are an option if EGD/ileocolonoscopy is unrevealing, but VCE is contraindicated and should be strictly avoided in patients with suggestion of small bowel obstruction to avoid retention and impaction of the capsule at the site of obstruction. Capsule retention may necessitate surgical or endoscopic retrieval. (See 'Enteroscopy' below and "Wireless video capsule endoscopy", section on 'Contraindications'.)

Most patients with neoplastic tumors presenting with obstruction will require definitive or palliative surgical intervention; however, those patients diagnosed with small intestinal lymphoma are likely to respond rapidly to induction chemotherapy, thus supporting the effort to determine histologic diagnosis in the least invasive manner possible. (See "Treatment of extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma)", section on 'Small intestine MZL' and "Diffuse large B cell lymphoma: Treatment of limited-stage disease", section on 'Other extranodal sites'.)

Bowel perforation — Bowel perforation is a rare presenting symptom of small bowel neoplasm. (See "Epidemiology and clinical features of small bowel neoplasms".)

In most cases, the patient will present in the acute care setting and have cross-sectional imaging (often CT abdomen/pelvis) already performed showing intraperitoneal free air, evidence of abscess associated with the intestinal wall, signs of peritonitis, with or without clear evidence of a mass. Further diagnostic studies are not generally indicated, and endoscopy, in particular should generally be avoided.

Most patients will be managed surgically to repair the defect. Some are managed conservatively if evidence suggests spontaneous closure of the perforation or if there are patient-specific medical comorbidities precluding surgery, or if goals of care do not support surgical intervention. The peritoneum should be carefully examined intraoperatively for metastatic depositions as part of the staging evaluation. Tissue should be obtained at the time of surgery to provide a histologic diagnosis.

Chronic diarrhea with or without cutaneous flushing — Patients with well-differentiated NETs often present with symptoms similar to those of other small bowel tumors. However, they may also become symptomatic from hormones secreted by the tumor cells, particularly when metastatic disease, almost always to the liver, is present. For most small bowel NETs the predominant symptoms of carcinoid syndrome are diarrhea, with or without cutaneous flushing. (See "Clinical features of carcinoid syndrome".)

For such patients, we initially evaluate with dual-phase (arterial and portal venous) contrast-enhanced helical CT of the abdomen and pelvis. If a small bowel NET is suspected based on imaging characteristics, tissue should be obtained via percutaneous biopsy of a suspected metastatic lesion. For apparent localized disease, tissue of the small bowel mass can be obtained endoscopically via EGD and/or ileocolonoscopy, or with advanced enteroscopic or surgical approaches when needed. (See 'CT imaging' below.)

For patients with histologic confirmation of well-differentiated NET, somatostatin-receptor based imaging (eg, Ga-68 dotatate PET-CT or PET-MRI) is needed for staging. (See "Clinical presentation, imaging and biomarker monitoring, and prognosis of metastatic well-differentiated gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors", section on 'Imaging studies'.)

Jaundice — In the setting of new-onset jaundice with direct (conjugated) hyperbilirubinemia, only two scenarios implicate a small bowel neoplasm as the underlying cause:

●A primary duodenal mass involving the second portion of the duodenum and compressing the common bile duct or obstructing the ampullary orifice

●A significant burden of hepatic or porta hepatis metastases of small intestinal origin

These findings are usually seen on initial cross-sectional imaging. A periampullary mass in this location might represent a primary duodenal adenocarcinoma, a distal cholangiocarcinoma, an ampulla of Vater carcinoma, or a pancreas cancer in the head that is invading the duodenum. Radiographic imaging may not enable this distinction, and EGD with or without endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is indicated for diagnosis and disease staging when duodenal masses are present. (See 'Upper endoscopy/EUS' below and "Epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and staging of ampullary carcinoma", section on 'Diagnosis and staging' and "Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma", section on 'Clinical presentation' and "Clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and staging of exocrine pancreatic cancer".)

When jaundice is present, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is necessary to attempt biliary decompression and can provide tissue for cytologic/pathologic diagnosis. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) may further assist in ascertaining the primary tumor site of origin if this is otherwise not evident on the aforementioned studies, and if doing so might influence treatment decisions.

GI tract bleeding — Gastrointestinal (GI) tract bleeding may be occult or overt.

●Occult gastrointestinal bleeding or suspected small bowel bleeding – Occult GI bleeding is defined as GI bleeding that is not clinically visible, usually presenting as an unexplained iron deficiency anemia. Suspected small bowel GI bleeding is GI bleeding in which no bleeding source is identified after performing both upper and lower endoscopy [7]. It can be occult or overt. A diagnostic algorithm for obscure small bowel bleeding is available (algorithm 2).

Following upper and lower endoscopies and exclusion of other causes of iron-deficiency anemia, a small bowel evaluation should be conducted to determine if the small bowel is the site of potential GI blood loss. In the absence of obstruction, the first-line diagnostic tool for the evaluation of small bowel bleeding is VCE [8,9]. Subsequently, or as an alternative, a multiphasic CTE, with occult GI bleed protocol is an option. This study is done with oral contrast, and acquires images prior to giving iodinated IV contrast, as well as during arterial and portal venous phases after IV contrast administration. (See 'CT imaging' below.)

However, absence of a small bowel abnormality using a multiphasic occult GI or suspected small bowel bleeding CTE protocol [7] is not sufficient to exclude a small bowel abnormality. If not previously performed, in this setting, VCE should be conducted to provide a complete evaluation of the small bowel lumen. (See "Evaluation of occult gastrointestinal bleeding" and "Evaluation of suspected small bowel bleeding (formerly obscure gastrointestinal bleeding)".)

●Overt gastrointestinal bleeding – Patients presenting with hematemesis, melena, or hematochezia should have a workup appropriate for the acuity and severity of bleeding. An algorithmic approach to evaluation of patients presenting with upper GI tract bleeding (algorithm 3) or hematochezia (algorithm 4) are provided. (See "Approach to acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding in adults" and "Approach to acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding in adults".)

Generally, EGD and/or ileocolonoscopy will be performed soon after clinical presentation and may reveal a primary duodenal or distal ileal neoplasm, provided the lumen is sufficiently well visualized and not obscured by blood products. If visualization is poor, then repeat endoscopy following clearance of blood products may be needed.

If EGD/ileocolonoscopy are unrevealing in a patient with overt GI bleeding, cross-sectional imaging should be performed, typically CT angiography (multiphasic CT with IV contrast and no oral contrast). (See 'CT imaging' below.)

Depending on imaging findings, advanced endoscopy (eg, device-assisted enteroscopy) or VCE are reasonable next approaches. In particular, VCE may be helpful if all other intraluminal and radiographic investigations fail to reveal the primary bleeding site and no obstructive symptoms are present. However, tissue cannot be obtained using this approach. (See "Overview of deep small bowel enteroscopy".)

OVERVIEW OF AVAILABLE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS

Radiographic imaging — Multiple radiographic investigations are available for patients suspected of having a small bowel tumor (table 2). Plain abdominal films are generally of limited value unless bowel obstruction is suspected, although this finding is nonspecific. Enteroclysis or double-contrast radiographic study represent historical options that have been replaced by cross-sectional imaging.

CT imaging — A computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen is frequently obtained when evaluating vague or indeterminate abdominal complaints [7]. In the absence of active bleeding, this is typically CT enterography (CTE), a single phase CT of the abdomen and pelvis with a neutral oral contrast agent that distends the bowel but has no density, thus facilitating the visualization of a mass within the bowel lumen. (See 'Somatostatin receptor-based imaging' below.)

For active gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, the preferred protocol is a multiphasic GI bleeding study, in which images are acquired prior to administration of intravenous (IV) contrast, as well as during the arterial and portal venous phases after contrast administration, and is performed either without (CT angiography) or with (CTE protocol) oral contrast [7]. In such cases, oral contrast is not administered for overt GI bleeding, only for occult GI bleeding.

●Single phase CT enterography – During a single phase CTE study patients rapidly ingest a large volume (1.5 to 2 L) of an attenuation-neutral enteric contrast material (often low-concentration barium) [7]. This results in distension of the small bowel lumen with a contrast agent that does not interfere with the ability to visualize the lumen and the bowel wall with CT. This approach should be used with caution in patients with high-grade bowel obstruction unless they have established alternate means to vent the solution.

CT is able to detect abnormalities in approximately 70 to 80 percent of patients with small bowel tumors [10,11]. Besides demonstrating the primary tumor, CT scans are of critical importance for appropriate evaluation of extraintestinal spread to distant sites and involvement of regional lymph nodes. In addition, specific radiographic features may suggest the histologic diagnosis [12-14].

•In one observational series, 219 patients with a clinical suspicion for a small bowel neoplasm and a negative upper- and lower-endoscopic evaluation underwent contrast and water-enhanced CTE [14]. Positive findings were compared with the results of surgical exploration or endoscopic procedures, while negative results were correlated with the results of surgery, intraoperative enteroscopy (IOE), capsule endoscopy, or clinical follow-up.

A small bowel mass was demonstrated in 55 patients, which was confirmed in 50 patients (ie, there were five false-positive studies). These included two masses diagnosed as fold thickening at preoperative enteroscopy, two small bowel polyps, and one 18 mm hyperintense mass, with all three cases confirmed as normal mucosa at surgery or preoperative enteroscopy. Of the 164 patients with a normal result, a small bowel tumor was later found in nine. The sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value were 85, 97, 95, and 91 percent, respectively. Whether similar results can be achieved at other centers is unclear.

Limited data suggest that CTE is more sensitive for detecting small bowel tumors than wireless video capsule endoscopy (VCE) [15].

●Occult GI bleeding CT – For patients with suspected occult GI bleeding who are not undergoing VCE, the preferred radiologic imaging protocol is a multiphasic occult GI bleeding study, which is performed with oral contrast in addition to acquisition of images prior to administration of IV contrast, as well as during the arterial and portal venous phases after contrast administration [7]. This is frequently referred to as a CTE protocol. In a meta-analysis of 18 studies, the yield of a CTE protocol for detecting a source of suspected small bowel bleeding was 40 percent (95% CI 33-49 percent) [16]. The yield appears to be highest in patients with a history of massive bleeding [17]. (See "Evaluation of suspected small bowel bleeding (formerly obscure gastrointestinal bleeding)", section on 'Enterography'.)

●Role of chest CT – For confirmed small bowel neoplasms, CT chest should be conducted for complete staging. For most lymphomas, fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)-CT is more sensitive and specific in detecting the initial extent of disease (except in cases of small lymphocytic lymphoma and marginal zone lymphoma) and is obtained for initial assessment and monitoring treatment efficacy [18]. (See "Pretreatment evaluation and staging of non-Hodgkin lymphomas".)

For well-differentiated small bowel neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), chest staging may be completed with either a dedicated CT chest or a somatostatin receptor-based PET-CT.

MRI of the abdomen and pelvis and MRCP — Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the abdomen and pelvis is an alternative for cross-sectional imaging with contrast-enhanced CT where there is a contraindication to CT contrast. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) may be needed in the initial workup of a suspected duodenal malignancy to further ascertain the tumor site of origin, particularly in the presence of biliary obstruction.

Upper gastrointestinal series with small bowel follow-through — Upper GI series with small bowel follow-through (UGI/SBFT) is a test that may show a mass lesion, mucosal defect, or intussusception. Advanced endoscopic techniques have largely replaced the use of UGI/SBFT.

In less contemporary series, the sensitivity was approximately 50 to 60 percent for the detection of advanced small bowel tumors [19-21]. However, sensitivity for primary benign tumors is as low as 25 percent [21].

Angiography and radionuclide scanning — In patients with active bleeding, angiography or radionuclide scanning with technetium (99mTc) sulfur colloid or 99mTc pertechnetate-labeled autologous red blood cells can help to localize the site of bleeding if the rate of bleeding is sufficiently high. In addition, for certain tumors, most notably NETs and leiomyosarcoma, a distinctive tumor blush may be seen on angiography. However, these tests are rarely indicated in the initial diagnostic workup, and instead, are restricted to situations where other tests have not been revealing. (See "Evaluation of suspected small bowel bleeding (formerly obscure gastrointestinal bleeding)", section on 'Radionuclide scanning' and "Evaluation of suspected small bowel bleeding (formerly obscure gastrointestinal bleeding)", section on 'Angiography'.)

MR enterography — Magnetic resonance (MR) enterography is an alternative to CTE, but in our view, there is insufficient information on its accuracy to detect small bowel tumors to routinely warrant its use. MRI has the advantage of not using ionizing radiation, which allows for sequential imaging of the small bowel. Like CTE, a neutral contrast agent (often polyethylene glycol) is used to distend the small bowel. Intraluminal and extraluminal MR findings, combined with the presence of contrast enhancement and functional information, may permit characterization of small bowel neoplasms.

Although not as widely available as CTE, the available data on MR enterography for diagnosis and exclusion of a small bowel neoplasm are as follows [1,22,23]:

●One study included 91 symptomatic patients with either suspected or established small bowel disease [1]. The cases were independently interpreted by two different GI radiologists who were blinded as to the clinical history. Eighty-six of the examinations were correctly interpreted (diagnostic accuracy 95 percent); a small bowel neoplasm was confirmed histopathologically (by endoscopy or surgery) in 32. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 94, 95, 91, and 97 percent, respectively, for one of the radiologists and 91, 97, 94, and 95 percent, respectively, for the second radiologist.

●In a second study of 158 patients suspected of small bowel neoplasms after negative upper and lower endoscopies, preoperative MR enteroclysis/enterography identified 31 of the 32 small bowel tumors (97 percent) with no false positive results [23]. The correct histology was predicted by MR enterography in only 62 percent of cases.

The extrapolation of these results to the general population is limited by the small size and retrospective nature of the study, and the much higher prevalence of small bowel tumors in this highly select cohort.

PET-CT — Integrated positron emission tomography (PET)-CT scanning using the radiotracer 18-FDG, may be useful for the initial diagnosis of small bowel neoplasms, staging, evaluating response to treatment, and restaging at the time of suspected disease recurrence. Utility varies according to histology.

Adenocarcinoma — FDG PET-CT allows primary lesion detection of small bowel adenocarcinomas [24-26], although sensitivity compared with other imaging methods has not been systematically studied. The ability of PET-CT to detect local and distant metastatic disease has not been formally evaluated. However, it seems reasonable to extrapolate from the experience with colorectal adenocarcinoma, in which PET scanning is useful as an adjunct to other imaging modalities for localizing sites of disease recurrence in patients with a rising carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) posttreatment and nondiagnostic conventional imaging, and for evaluation of patients who are thought to be candidates for resection of isolated colorectal cancer liver metastases, in whom the routine use of PET prior to attempted resection reduces the number of nontherapeutic laparotomies. (See "Hepatic resection for colorectal cancer liver metastasis", section on 'Positron emission tomography'.)

Lymphoma — FDG uptake is variable in the typical lymphomas that arise in the GI tract. Of the histologies most commonly seen in the small intestine, diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), mantle cell lymphoma, Burkitt lymphoma, and enteropathy associated T cell lymphoma are typically FDG-avid [27]. By contrast, marginal zone lymphoma and follicular lymphoma have variable FDG-avidity. Many clinicians incorporate PET into the pretreatment evaluation of patients with DLBCL of the GI tract, but its utility in other subtypes is controversial. This issue is addressed in more detail separately. (See "Pretreatment evaluation and staging of non-Hodgkin lymphomas", section on 'Choice of imaging modality' and "Pretreatment evaluation and staging of non-Hodgkin lymphomas", section on 'Positron emission tomography (PET)' and "Clinical presentation and diagnosis of primary gastrointestinal lymphomas".)

Sarcoma — 18-FDG PET-CT is highly sensitive (86 to 100 percent) for detecting tumors with a high glucose metabolism, such as GI stromal tumors, and PET can be useful for detecting an unknown primary site or resolving ambiguities from CT (eg, when the CT findings are inconclusive or inconsistent with the clinical findings). However, because of limitations in specificity, PET has not replaced CT as the initial imaging modality of choice in patients suspected of having a GI tract mesenchymal tumor. (See "Clinical presentation, diagnosis, and prognosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors", section on 'Imaging the primary tumor'.)

While a baseline PET may be indicated for patients in whom PET will be used to monitor the response to therapy with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, nearly all the data obtained by PET scan imaging can be found in a good quality traditional IV-contrasted CT scan, with superior anatomic definition. (See "Tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy for advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors", section on 'Assessing response to therapy' and "Adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapy for gastrointestinal stromal tumors", section on 'Response assessment'.)

Neuroendocrine tumors

Cross-sectional imaging — For NETs, an abdominal CT with oral contrast has a sensitivity of 77 to 87 percent for identifying at least one of the manifestations of these tumors [28-31]. This may be the primary tumor, mesenteric stranding due to tumor involvement and a fibrotic response (image 1), liver metastases (which are invariably present when carcinoid syndrome arises from a gut primary), or a mesenteric mass reflecting lymph node enlargement. Gadolinium-enhanced MRI of the liver is more sensitive than abdominal CT for evaluating both the presence and extent of liver metastases in patients with a NET [31,32]. (See "Clinical presentation, imaging and biomarker monitoring, and prognosis of metastatic well-differentiated gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors".)

However, imaging, even with combinations of CT and MRI, tends to underestimate the extent of peritoneal, mesenteric, hepatic, and bony metastatic disease in patients with small bowel NETs [31]. Accurate staging might be best achieved at the time of laparotomy or with somatostatin receptor-based imaging. (See 'Somatostatin receptor-based imaging' below.)

Somatostatin receptor-based imaging — Because somatostatin receptors are expressed by the majority of well-differentiated NETs, a number of unique diagnostic tests such as somatostatin receptor-based imaging can be utilized to aid in the diagnosis. (See "Neuroendocrine neoplasms of unknown primary site", section on 'Initial workup' and "Clinical presentation, imaging and biomarker monitoring, and prognosis of metastatic well-differentiated gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors", section on 'Somatostatin receptor-based imaging studies' and "Diagnosis of carcinoid syndrome and tumor localization", section on 'Tumor localization and staging'.)

Somatostatin-based tracers, including gallium Ga-68 dotatate and copper Cu-64 dotatate, are used in conjunction with integrated PET-CT for the diagnostic imaging of NETs. We obtain somatostatin receptor-based imaging for all patients with a small bowel NET, with the exception of a very small tumor that is completely resected. Further details are discussed separately. (See "Clinical presentation, imaging and biomarker monitoring, and prognosis of metastatic well-differentiated gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors", section on 'Somatostatin receptor-based imaging studies'.)

Somatostatin receptor-based imaging may be particularly helpful for tumor localization in the case of a metastatic NET of unknown primary site. This topic is discussed in detail separately. (See "Neuroendocrine neoplasms of unknown primary site", section on 'Evaluation and management'.)

FDG PET imaging — Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)-CT is used to image well-differentiated high-grade (grade 3) NETs and poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas. (See "Well-differentiated high-grade (G3) gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors", section on 'Staging imaging' and "Poorly differentiated gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma", section on 'Imaging studies'.)

FDG PET-CT is not used in the diagnostic evaluation of well-differentiated, low-grade (G1) and intermediate-grade (G2) NETs of the small bowel, as such tumors are relatively indolent and typically not FDG avid [33].

Endoscopic techniques — There are various advantages and disadvantages of several endoscopic methods for evaluation of the small bowel (table 2).

Upper endoscopy/EUS — Standard upper endoscopy (esophagogastroduodenoscopy [EGD]) is capable of reaching only the proximal duodenum. It may be adequate if a proximal small bowel tumor is suspected. For localized primary tumors of the duodenum, EGD with endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) may provide optimal tumor (T) and nodal (N) staging, especially in cases where neoadjuvant therapy is being contemplated prior to surgical resection. In addition for masses in the second portion of the duodenum, EUS may delineate the primary site of tumor origin in relation to the neighboring anatomic structures of the ampulla of Vater, distal common bile duct, and pancreas.

Wireless video capsule endoscopy — Wireless VCE provides a noninvasive means of visualizing the entire small bowel. It has become a standard diagnostic approach for patients with suspected small bowel bleeding (previously referred to as obscure GI bleeding) and is the appropriate first-line investigation in such patients [34]. Because of its capacity to visualize the small bowel mucosa directly, this technology has supplanted some of less contemporary techniques, such as enteroclysis, in the workup of small bowel tumors. (See "Wireless video capsule endoscopy".)

The utility of VCE in diagnosing small bowel tumors was demonstrated in a retrospective study of 562 patients who underwent the procedure at Mount Sinai Medical Center from 2001 to 2003 [35]. Indications for endoscopy were suspected small bowel bleeding (79 percent), chronic abdominal pain (5 percent), or search for a well-differentiated NET primary (4 percent). A total of 50 patients were diagnosed with small bowel tumors, of which 48 percent were malignant. Among patients who were younger than 50 years old undergoing VCE for suspected small bowel bleeding, nine (13 percent) had a small bowel tumor. There was one false-positive result (which prompted a negative surgical exploration), but the number of false-negative studies could not be ascertained as information on outcomes among patients who had a negative VCE was not available.

Information on the false-negative rate of VCE was provided in a meta-analysis of 530 patients from 24 studies in which VCE was compared prospectively with a standard diagnostic workup (push enteroscopy in 300 patients, small-bowel series in 140 patients, or colonoscopy with ileoscopy in 90 patients) [36]. A total of 106 neoplasms were diagnosed, of which VCE missed 20 (false-negative rate 19 percent). However, this was lower than the miss rate for the standard diagnostic workup method (63 percent).

However, VCE may be less sensitive for detecting small bowel tumors than CTE. In a study that included 17 patients with small bowel tumors who underwent both CTE and capsule endoscopy, CTE was more sensitive than capsule endoscopy for detecting small bowel tumors (94 versus 35 percent) [15]. Lesions in the duodenum and proximal jejunum are easily missed because of the rapid transit of the capsule through these areas. (See "Wireless video capsule endoscopy", section on 'Small bowel tumors, polyps, and other pathology'.)

The main disadvantage of VCE is that it does not permit tissue sampling. It should not be performed in patients in whom small bowel obstruction is suspected since the capsule may become lodged proximal to the obstruction and may require enteroscopy or laparotomy for retrieval, as has been seen in 10 to 25 percent of patients with small bowel tumors in reported series [37]. (See "Wireless video capsule endoscopy", section on 'Capsule retention'.)

Enteroscopy — Enteroscopy refers to the passage of a colonoscope or special enteroscope beyond the ligament of Treitz using a push technique, or a device-assisted approach such as a single balloon enteroscopy, double balloon enteroscopy or, less commonly, spiral enteroscopy technique. Enteroscopy may also be performed intraoperatively with surgical assistance [38]. The main advantage compared with wireless VCE is the ability to obtain tissue samples and perform therapeutic interventions. (See "Overview of deep small bowel enteroscopy".)

Enteroscopy is a valuable tool for the detection and diagnosis of small bowel tumors [39] and can be complementary to VCE by allowing for tissue sampling of lesions identified during VCE. However, the procedure is invasive, requires longer periods of provider time and patient sedation, can be technically challenging secondary to the nature of the procedure, is not reliably able to visualize the entire small bowel, and requires expertise and equipment which are not always available. Deep enteroscopy techniques are described in more detail separately. (See "Evaluation of suspected small bowel bleeding (formerly obscure gastrointestinal bleeding)" and "Overview of deep small bowel enteroscopy".)

Tumor markers — There are no serum tumor markers that are sufficiently sensitive or specific to aid in the diagnosis of any small bowel tumor.

Small bowel adenocarcinoma — The majority of small bowel adenocarcinomas are positive for CEA by immunohistochemistry [40,41], and serum CEA is elevated in 30 to 44 percent of patients with metastatic or locally advanced small bowel adenocarcinoma [42]. Approximately 41 to 63 percent of small bowel adenocarcinomas have elevated levels of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) [42,43]. However, neither CEA nor CA 19-9 is sufficiently sensitive nor specific to be used for diagnostic purposes, especially in patients with a localized tumor.

On the other hand, assay of CEA and/or CA 19-9 is appropriate for newly diagnosed patients with a small bowel adenocarcinoma. If elevated, levels should normalize after potentially curative resection, and that tumor marker can be followed serially to assess for disease recurrence and response to therapy.

Well-differentiated NETs — Given the presence of somatostatin receptors and secretion of both nonhormonal and hormonal tumor markers (table 3) by neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), a number of unique diagnostic tests including serum chromogranin A (CgA) as well as plasma and urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), have been utilized to aid in the diagnosis of a well-differentiated NET. However, the limitations of nonhormonal markers like CgA in terms of sensitivity and specificity (table 4) have led to a de-emphasis of their use in patients with newly diagnosed localized NETs of the GI tract. These markers should not be used as a diagnostic test for NETs or routinely for postresection surveillance of a nonmetastatic NET, especially nonfunctional tumors. Histopathologic evaluation of tissue by a dedicated pathologist remains the gold standard for the diagnosis of a NET.

On the other hand, for patients with chronic, unexplained diarrhea and/or cutaneous flushing, an elevated level of 5-HIAA (with appropriate dietary restrictions, (table 5)) is suggestive of carcinoid syndrome and should lead to further diagnostic workup.

This subject is discussed in detail separately. (See "Overview of tumor biomarkers in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors" and "Diagnosis of carcinoid syndrome and tumor localization", section on 'Biochemical testing for carcinoid syndrome'.)

Surgical exploration — Surgical exploration (diagnostic laparoscopy/exploratory laparotomy) is the most sensitive diagnostic modality in evaluating a patient with a high suspicion of having a small bowel neoplasm, and may be needed if the initial diagnostic evaluation is unrevealing.

In the past, despite a thorough history, physical examination, and complete diagnostic workup, the correct diagnosis of small bowel malignancy was established preoperatively in only 70 percent of cases, with the remainder diagnosed at laparotomy [44]. However, improvements in cross-sectional imaging and the development of techniques such as VCE have reduced the need for surgical exploration.

Nevertheless, exploration may be needed for a patient with occult GI bleeding, unexplained weight loss, or vague abdominal pain and an otherwise unrevealing diagnostic evaluation, as long as it is consistent with the goals of care. Laparoscopy may also be useful for establishing the diagnosis of malignancy when the workup is otherwise negative and for obtaining adequate tissue samples if a diagnosis of lymphoma is suspected. Surgical treatment of small bowel neoplasms is addressed in more detail separately. (See "Treatment of small bowel neoplasms".)

STAGING — 

Staging systems differ according to the primary histology.

●Adenocarcinoma – The most commonly used staging system for small bowel adenocarcinomas is the tumor, node, metastasis (TNM) system of the combined American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC)/Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). The eighth edition AJCC TNM staging system includes revised definitions of T stage, redefined N1 disease as one or two positive nodes, and redefined N2 disease as more than two positive nodes (table 6) [45]. The prognostic stage groupings are only for adenocarcinoma.

●Lymphoma – The Ann Arbor staging system developed in 1971 for Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) has been adapted (the Lugano classification) for staging non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs) (table 7). This staging system focuses on the number of tumor sites (nodal and extranodal) and location. Pretreatment evaluation and staging of NHL are discussed in detail separately. (See "Pretreatment evaluation and staging of non-Hodgkin lymphomas".)

●Sarcoma – Visceral leiomyosarcomas are staged according to the TNM system for soft tissue sarcomas. The eighth edition staging system has a separate and unique TNM staging classification for soft tissue sarcomas arising in the abdominal and thoracic viscera, but there are no corresponding prognostic stage groupings (table 8) [46]. A separate TNM staging system is in place for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) (table 9) [47]. (See "Clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, and staging of soft tissue sarcoma" and "Clinical presentation, diagnosis, and prognosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors", section on 'Staging system'.)

●Neuroendocrine tumors – Separate TNM staging classifications are available for well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) of the duodenum/ampulla (table 10) and for tumors arising in the jejunum and ileum (table 11). (See "Staging, treatment, and surveillance of localized well-differentiated gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors", section on 'Jejunum/ileum'.)

There are limited data regarding the number of lymph nodes requiring pathologic examination to ensure accurate staging after surgery for a small bowel NET. In one analysis, adequate pathologic staging of duodenal NET required a minimum of eight lymph nodes to be examined [48]. (See "Treatment of small bowel neoplasms", section on 'Treatment of locoregional disease'.)

HISTOLOGY AND DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS — 

Differentiating the various small bowel tumors on light microscopy is generally straightforward, and the results of immunohistochemical (IHC) and/or cytometric studies are usually confirmatory:

●The morphologic appearance of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) can be predominantly spindle cell or epithelioid, and these tumors have a characteristic molecular signature. IHC staining can help to distinguish GISTs from other subepithelial tumors that may arise in the GI tract (table 12). The vast majority of GISTs (over 95 percent) express the CD117 antigen, in contrast to leiomyomas and other spindle-cell tumors of the GI tract (eg, leiomyosarcomas), which are typically CD117-negative.

The CD117 antigen, which can be identified by IHC, is part of the KIT transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase, a product of the c-kit (also denoted as KIT) protooncogene. In more than 80 percent of GIST cases, a mutation in the KIT gene leads to a structural variant of the KIT protein, which is abnormally activated and enables oncogenic signaling in the cell.

A subset of KIT-negative GISTs have activating mutations in a different receptor tyrosine kinase, platelet-derived growth factor receptor-alpha, which can only be identified using molecular techniques. (See "Clinical presentation, diagnosis, and prognosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors", section on 'Histopathology'.)

●Neuroendocrine differentiation, as is characteristic of a well-differentiated GINET, can be demonstrated by IHC staining for synaptophysin or chromogranin. (See "Pathology and classification of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms", section on 'Histopathology and immunohistochemistry' and "Neuroendocrine neoplasms of unknown primary site", section on 'Pathologic classification'.)

●IHC or flow cytometric studies for cell surface antigens typically identify lymphomas as being of either B cell or T cell origin. (See "Clinical presentation and initial evaluation of non-Hodgkin lymphoma", section on 'Analysis of biopsy material' and "Clinical presentation and diagnosis of primary gastrointestinal lymphomas", section on 'Pathology'.)

●Differentiating an adenocarcinoma of the small bowel from other bowel adenocarcinomas (particularly in the setting of a locally advanced lesion) can be challenging. In contrast to colorectal cancers, which are almost always cytokeratin (CK) 20 positive and CK 7 negative, adenocarcinomas of the small bowel are less often CK 20 positive (47 to 67 percent) and more often CK7 positive (34 to 100 percent) [49,50]. Additional IHC staining with carcinoembryonic antigen, CDX2, and MUC1 may further be positive in 50 percent [40,41], 43 percent [51], and 38 percent of small bowel adenocarcinomas, respectively, to differentiate from other small intestinal histologies, though may not differentiate metastases from other GI primary sites of origin. (See "Pathology and prognostic determinants of colorectal cancer".)

SOCIETY GUIDELINE LINKS — 

Links to society and government-sponsored guidelines from selected countries and regions around the world are provided separately. (See "Society guideline links: Neuroendocrine neoplasms" and "Society guideline links: Lymphoma diagnosis and staging" and "Society guideline links: Bowel obstruction" and "Society guideline links: Gastrointestinal bleeding in adults" and "Society guideline links: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors" and "Society guideline links: Soft tissue sarcoma".)

SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS

●Clinical features

•A variety of tumors, both malignant and benign, may arise within the small intestine. Malignant tumors include adenocarcinomas, neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), stromal tumors (gastrointestinal stromal tumors [GISTs] and non-GIST soft tissue sarcomas), and lymphomas. Benign lesions that may arise in the small bowel include adenomas, leiomyomas, fibromas, and lipomas. (See "Epidemiology and clinical features of small bowel neoplasms", section on 'Clinical presentation'.)

•The diagnosis of a small bowel tumor is often made late in the course of the disease because of its rarity and the variable, vague, and nonspecific symptoms (abdominal pain, weight loss, nausea and vomiting, occult GI tract bleeding). (See "Epidemiology and clinical features of small bowel neoplasms", section on 'Clinical presentation'.)

●Diagnostic evaluation – Symptomatic patients and those with an incidental finding on cross-sectional imaging done for another reason in whom a small bowel tumor is part of the differential diagnosis should undergo a complete history and physical examination. A minimum laboratory workup should include a complete blood count with differential, serum metabolic panel with liver function tests, and fecal occult blood sampling if GI bleeding is suspected. (See 'Diagnostic evaluation' above.)

•Symptomatic patients – There is no single method that is best for imaging of the small intestine in a symptomatic patient with a suspected small bowel tumor. The choices are radiographic (primarily CT imaging of the abdomen) or endoscopic (wireless video capsule endoscopy [VCE], push enteroscopy, or device-assisted enteroscopy). (See 'Radiographic imaging' above.)

Multiple tests may be needed sequentially. The best testing strategy and sequence of diagnostic tests are not established, and there is debate as to how much diagnostic workup is adequate to exclude a small bowel tumor.

Our approach to symptomatic patients depends on the predominant symptom. (See 'Our approach to patients with specific symptoms' above.)

Patients should be evaluated for carcinoid syndrome when suggestive symptoms are present, such as otherwise unexplained diarrhea or flushing. Additional diagnostic testing may include biochemical tests such as a 24-hour urine collection for 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and somatostatin receptor-based imaging. (See 'Chronic diarrhea with or without cutaneous flushing' above.)

•Incidental finding – Our approach to patients with a suspected small bowel tumor because of an incidental finding on cross-sectional imaging done for another purpose is summarized as follows (algorithm 1) (see 'Patients with incidental findings' above):

-If imaging suggests a small intestinal mass and there is no evidence of metastatic disease, we obtain the appropriate endoscopic evaluation (esophagogastroduodenoscopy [EGD], push enteroscopy, ileocolonoscopy, or device-assisted enteroscopy depending on the location of the lesion) to visualize the mass and obtain tissue for pathologic diagnosis.

-If endoscopic evaluation is complete and unremarkable, and if suspicion for invasive malignancy is low, we offer close follow-up with short-interval (eg, three months) cross-sectional imaging.

-If endoscopic evaluation is incomplete, and there is no evidence of obstruction, VCE is used to visualize areas not accessed by endoscopy, although tissue cannot be sampled using this approach.

-If suspicion is high for an invasive malignancy, options for further workup include a contrast-enhanced multiphase CT abdomen, CT enterography (CTE), integrated fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)-CT, somatostatin receptor-based imaging, or referral for surgical evaluation.

•Surgical exploration – Surgical exploration (diagnostic laparoscopy/exploratory laparotomy/intraoperative enteroscopy) is the most sensitive diagnostic modality in evaluating a patient with a high suspicion of having a small bowel neoplasm and may be needed if the initial diagnostic evaluation is unrevealing. (See 'Surgical exploration' above.)

•Tumor markers – There are no serum tumor markers that are sufficiently sensitive or specific to aid in the diagnosis of any small bowel tumor. (See 'Tumor markers' above.)

●Staging and histologic diagnosis

•Staging systems for small bowel tumors differ according to the primary histology. (See 'Staging' above.)

•Differentiating the various small bowel tumors on light microscopy is generally straightforward, and the results of immunohistochemical (IHC) and/or cytometric studies are usually confirmatory. (See 'Histology and differential diagnosis' above.)

ACKNOWLEDGMENT — 

The UpToDate editorial staff acknowledges James C Cusack Jr, MD, who contributed to an earlier version of this topic review.