Gastric Outlet Obstruction as the Presenting Sign of DuodenalAdenocarcinoma

Introduction Duodenal adenocarcinomas (DA) are rare cancers, that represent less than 1% of gastrointestinal cancers. Patients typically present with weight loss, nausea/vomiting, and jaundice. Case presentation In our 58-year-old lady, her inability to tolerate any food, plus associated incessant nausea/vomiting prompted her to report to the emergency department. During her hospital stay, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound and CT scan of the abdomen revealed that she had a duodenal mass complicated by duodenal stricture. Pathology revealed that the duodenal mass was indeed a duodenal adenocarcinoma. CT of the chest and abdomen revealed possible metastases to the lungs and liver. Conclusion In older patients with symptoms that bear a resemblance to a gastric outlet obstruction, it is necessary to rule out gastrointestinal cancer as a possible etiology of the symptoms.