benign ileal neoplasm

A benign ileal neoplasm, also known as a benign tumor of the ileum, is a type of non-cancerous growth that occurs in the ileum, which is the last part of the small intestine. These tumors are typically slow-growing and may remain asymptomatic for a long time.

• Types of benign ileal neoplasms: The most common types of benign ileal neoplasms include:

  • Lipomas: These are fatty tumors that can grow in the wall of the ileum (50% of cases) or other parts of the small intestine.
  • Leiomyomas: These are tumors of the smooth muscle layer of the intestinal wall, which can grow into the lumen of the bowel and become symptomatic.
  • Neurofibromas: These are nerve cell tumors that can occur in the ileum or other parts of the small intestine.
  • Fibromas: These are benign growths made up of fibrous tissue.

• Characteristics: Benign ileal neoplasms are usually:

  • Slow-growing
  • Non-cancerous (benign)
  • May remain asymptomatic for a long time
  • Can cause abdominal distention, pain, bleeding, diarrhea, and obstruction if they grow large enough

• Incidence: According to the search results, benign small bowel tumors account for approximately 5% of all benign tumors of the intestinal tract, with lipomas being the third most common type (2.6-15% of all benign small bowel tumors).

These characteristics are based on information from search result [4], which states that lipomas are typically found in the colon but may also be found in the small intestine, particularly the ileum (50%), less so in the duodenum (25%) and jejunum (25%).

Benign ileal neoplasms, also known as tumors in the ileum (the last part of the small intestine), can be asymptomatic or cause a variety of signs and symptoms.

Possible Signs and Symptoms:

• Abdominal pain is a common symptom, often due to intestinal obstruction caused by the tumor itself or an intussusception (a condition where one part of the intestine slides into another) [4].
• Rectal bleeding can occur, reducing red blood cell count and causing anemia [2].
• Chronic and/or intermittent symptoms may include abdominal pain, nausea, weight loss, and bleeding [5].
• Large tumors are more likely to cause significant symptoms, including acute gastrointestinal bleeding with hematochezia or melena (blood in the stool) or chronic GI blood loss resulting in fatigue [9].

Other Possible Symptoms:

• Intestinal obstruction can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and inability to pass stool due to bowel blockage.
• Rectal pain, redness, or a feeling of warmth in the face and neck (skin flushing) may occur.

It's essential to note that not all benign ileal neoplasms cause symptoms, and some may remain asymptomatic throughout life [1]. However, if you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it's crucial to consult with a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and treatment.

Diagnostic Tests for Benign Ileal Neoplasm

Benign ileal neoplasms, also known as small intestine tumors, can be challenging to diagnose due to their rarity and overlapping imaging features. However, various diagnostic tests can help identify these conditions.

• Imaging Studies: Imaging studies are essential in diagnosing benign ileal neoplasms. The following tests can provide valuable information:
  • Computed Tomography (CT) Scan: A CT scan can help identify the location and size of the tumor [4]. It can also show how the tumor may be impacting soft tissue.
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): An MRI can provide similar information to a CT scan, but it is often used in conjunction with other tests to confirm the diagnosis [4].
  • Barium Studies: Barium studies, such as an upper gastrointestinal series or small bowel follow-through, can help identify the tumor and its location within the small intestine [5].
• Endoscopy: Endoscopy, a procedure where a flexible tube with a camera is inserted through the nose or mouth to visualize the inside of the small intestine, can also be used to diagnose benign ileal neoplasms [6].
• Biopsy: A biopsy, which involves taking a sample of tissue from the tumor, can confirm the diagnosis and provide information on the type of tumor [6].

Additional Tests

In addition to these diagnostic tests, other tests may be performed to rule out other conditions or to assess the overall health of the patient. These include:

• Complete Blood Count (CBC): A CBC measures the levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in the blood [9].
• Blood Chemistry Tests: Blood chemistry tests can help identify signs that a cancer has spread to other parts of the body [10].

It's essential to note that the specific diagnostic tests used may vary depending on the individual case and the suspected location and type of tumor.

References:

[1] Oct 20, 2023 — Barium enema helps identify distal ileal lesions with successful reflux of contrast through the ileocecal valve. Selective arteriography may be ... [4] An MRI and CT scan both provide similar information about how a tumor may be impacting soft tissue. Still, CT scans are used more often to diagnose small ... [5] Doctors typically do enteroclysis. In this procedure, a large amount of barium liquid is inserted through a tube in the nose and x-rays are taken as the barium ... [6] The tumor may be diagnosed by radiologic techniques (barium studies), endoscopy or surgery, and confirmed by biopsy sampling. Treatment depends on the location, ... [8] by J Sailer · 2007 · Cited by 72 — Multidetector CT (MDCT) produces high-resolution cross-sectional imaging of the abdomen and the small bowel. It allows multiplanar visualisation of small bowel ... [9] Feb 8, 2018 — A complete blood count (CBC), which measures the levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. [10] Physical exam and history · Blood tests to measure red and white blood cells and platelets. · Blood chemistry tests to look for signs that a cancer has spread to ...

Based on the provided context, it appears that there are limited treatment options for benign ileal neoplasms.

• Surgical excision remains the recommended therapy for benign small-bowel tumors, including those in the ileum (small intestine) [4].
• Exploratory laparotomy with excision of the lesion provides the safest and most effective approach for removing the tumor [4].

However, it's worth noting that there is limited information available on drug treatment options specifically for benign ileal neoplasms.

• Medical treatment options for other types of small bowel tumors, such as neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), may include somatostatin analogs like octreotide or lanreotide to block the tumor's secretion of toxic substances [7][8].
• However, these medications are typically used to treat carcinoid tumors and not specifically benign ileal neoplasms.

It's also worth noting that chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, but it's not commonly used for benign tumors [3].

In summary, while there are some general medical treatment options available for small bowel tumors, specific drug treatment options for benign ileal neoplasms appear to be limited.

References: [3] - Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by ... [4] - Oct 20, 2023 — Surgical excision remains the recommended therapy for benign small-bowel tumors. Exploratory laparotomy with excision of the lesion provides the safest and ... [7] - Sep 24, 2018 — The main treatment is with a somatostatin analog like octreotide or lanreotide to block the tumor's secretion of the toxic substances. Drugs ( ... [8] - Your healthcare provider may recommend somatostatin analogs to treat carcinoid tumors of the small intestine. These medications stop your body from making too ...

The differential diagnosis of small bowel tumors, including those in the ileum, can be extensive and includes various infectious and inflammatory diseases that present with focal bowel wall thickening [1]. In addition to these conditions, leiomyomas are rare mesenchymal benign tumors that may arise within the small intestine, including the ileum. These tumors can originate from intraluminal, submucosal, or extraluminal deposits of adipose connective tissue in the bowel wall [4].

Other potential differential diagnoses for a benign ileal neoplasm include:

• Crohn's disease: This inflammatory condition can cause focal ileal wall thickening with some enhancement [1].
• Leiomyomas: As mentioned earlier, these are rare mesenchymal benign tumors that may arise within the small intestine, including the ileum.
• Benign neoplasms of the small intestine: These comprise approximately 5% of all GI tract neoplasms and can include various types such as carcinoid tumors, adenocarcinomas, sarcomas, and lymphoma [7].

It's worth noting that the differential diagnosis for small bowel tumors is often complicated by non-specific clinical presentation and a low index of clinical suspicion [13]. Therefore, imaging clues and other diagnostic tests may be necessary to narrow down the differential diagnosis and arrive at an accurate diagnosis.

References:

[1] Context result 1 [4] Context result 4 [7] Context result 7 [13] Context result 13