Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Malignant small-bowel tumors are uncommon, accounting for < 5% of all gastrointestinal cancers, yet their incidence has exhibited a steady rise in both Western and Asian populations. This increase is attributed to expanded use of advanced diagnostic modalities and improved registry completeness. Malignant small-bowel tumors encompass a heterogeneous group-adenocarcinoma, neuroendocrine tumors, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, and lymphoma-each with distinct anatomic predilections, molecular characteristics, and clinical behavior. In Asia, sporadic adenocarcinoma remains the predominant subtype, whereas Crohn's disease-associated lesions and small-bowel neuroendocrine tumors are relatively less common than in Western cohorts. Early detection continues to be limited by diagnostic delays caused by nonspecific symptoms and the anatomic inaccessibility of the small-bowel. Prognosis varies substantially across subtypes, with adenocarcinoma demonstrating the poorest survival rate despite advances in systemic therapy. Recent nationwide and multicenter studies from Asian countries have highlighted evolving temporal trends, improvements in diagnostic performance, and emerging regional differences in etiology, stage distribution, and outcomes. A clearer understanding of the epidemiologic patterns and clinical charimacteristics of malignant small-bowel tumors in Asia is essential for developing region-specific diagnostic strategies, optimizing treatment pathways, and prioritizing areas for future collaborative research.
Authors: Jung Rock Moon, Seong Ran Jeon
Language: English
Subfield: Gastroenterology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $500
Award: G534730087
OpenAlex ID: W7204236993
FWCI:
Cites:
Cited by:
Related to: