Rare cause of small bowel obstruction: Metastatic squamous cell carcinoma with occult primary

Abstract

Only 1% to 2% of all malignant tumors of gastrointestinal tract occur in the small bowel. Metastatic tumors are more common than primary tumors of small bowel. In case of metastatic small bowel disease most common primary is melanoma followed by adenocarcinoma and rarely squamous cell carcinoma. Isolated metastatic disease presenting with stricture is further a rare presentation and very few case has been reported. Most common presentation is obstruction. It represents a metastatic disease with poor prognosis. Due to aggressive nature and resistance to chemotherapy overall survival of these patients are 6 to 9 months.