Clinical and pathological analysis of malignancies arising from alimentary tract duplications

Abstract

Background: Malignant change is a rare complication of alimentary tract duplications.

Methods: Articles concerning malignancies arising from alimentary tract duplications published from 1955 to 2012 on PubMed were extensively reviewed. These cases were reclassified and analyzed according to sites of clinical manifestations, diagnostic examinations, methods of management, pathological findings, clinical staging and prognosis.

Results: There were 64 citations in the literature that provided adequate descriptions of 67 cases of malignancies arising from alimentary tract duplications near the oesophagus (n = 6), stomach (n = 10), small intestine (n = 19), appendix (n = 1) and large intestine (n = 31). Among the cases described above, 57 underwent surgical treatment. In 43 patients with known prognosis, 7 died of tumour progression. In another 5 cases, the tumours recurred and metastasized recurred and metastasised after surgery at an average of 11.4 months.

Conclusions: For relieving symptoms and preventing malignant change, all duplications should be considered for surgery. Unfortunately, prognosis is generally poor once malignancy has occurred in the duplications.