[Primary small-intestinal neoplasms. Discussion of own experiences and of the literature].

There is a relatively long delay in diagnosis of malignant tumors of the small bowel and operation is often carried out too late. These tumors cause symptoms in about 90% of the cases (according to our own experiences in 20 of 21 cases). In the discussion of the symptoms there is a description given that might be a help for "earlier thinking of it". Anamnesis and exploratory laparotomy are of paramount importance for the diagnosis in time. Operation carried out in time leeds to a relatively favourable prognosis. Out of 5 patients who did not have metastases at the time of operation there are 3 alive for longer than 8 years post operationem. From the German literature of the past 10 years (288 cases) the following data were subsumized in a table: radical resection, operation mortality, 5-year-survival, delay of diagnosis, ileus/perforation, diagnosis by barium studies of the small bowel.