PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

What is the prognosis for patients with adenocarcinoma of the small intestine?

1. High survival rate due to early diagnosis

2. Moderate survival rate; depends on treatment

3. Low survival rate due to advanced disease at diagnosis

4. Excellent survival rate with surgical intervention

The correct answer is: Low survival rate due to advanced disease at diagnosis

The prognosis for patients with adenocarcinoma of the small intestine is typically poor, which is reflected in the choice of low survival rate due to advanced disease at diagnosis. This type of cancer is often diagnosed at a late stage because the symptoms can be nonspecific and may not lead to early detection. Advanced disease at diagnosis can include local invasion and metastasis, which significantly complicates treatment options and reduces the likelihood of successful outcomes. Patients with this form of cancer often present with obstructive symptoms or gastrointestinal bleeding, which may delay diagnosis. As a result, when diagnosed, many have advanced disease that is more challenging to manage effectively. Although early detection can improve prognosis significantly, adenocarcinoma of the small intestine is generally not diagnosed until it has progressed. This underscores the critical impact of the timing of diagnosis on survival outcomes. In contrast to other options, which suggest higher survival rates due to factors like early diagnosis or surgical intervention, the reality is that the disease's tendency to be diagnosed late diminishes the overall prognosis for these patients.