Diagnostic and Staging Work-Up

Patients with small bowel neoplasms may present with any number of the following:

Upper GI series with small bowel follow through may show a mass lesion, mucosal defect or intussusception.
CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis is generally done to assess the presenting symptoms and will reveal the extent of disease.
Upper GI endoscopy may detect a tumour in the duodenum and allow for biopsy for tissue diagnosis.
Wireless video capsule endoscopy is a means of visualizing the entire small bowel. However, it does not permit tissue sampling and should not be done in someone suspected of having bowel obstruction.
Exploratory laparoscopy or laparotomy may be required for diagnostic as well as therapeutic purposes.
PET scans are not recommended for staging purposes.
Pre-operative tumour markers: CEA, CA 19-9 and CA-125 may be useful for future monitoring.
Given the rarity of these cases, referral to BCCA is recommended.