Abstract

A case of adenocarcinoma of the ileum, occurring in an area concomitantly the site of Crohn's disease, is described. Examination of the literature suggests that there are certain characteristics of the small bowel carcinoma which arises in Crohn's disease. These include invisibility of the tumour on macroscopic inspection, dysplasia in the surrounding mucosa, and a peculiar endometriosis-like pattern of invasion. The finding that these tumours have certain characteristics is taken as evidence that carcinoma is a complication of Crohn's disease of the small bowel.