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Tumors of the Gastrointestinal Tract

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Pediatric Surgery

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Abstract

The profile of gastrointestinal tumors in children is very different to that in adults. Amongst malignant tumors, lymphomas far outnumber any other gut malignancy in children, and immunodeficiency, immunosuppression, or certain infections may predispose the patient. In terms of epithelial lesions, benign polyps predominate hugely. These may be non-neoplastic or neoplastic and either type may be sporadic in nature or form part of a syndrome which may be familial. Recognition of such syndromic or familial associations is important not only in the follow-up of that patient but also first-degree relatives. As the initial presentation with gut tumors may often be acute, with hemorrhage or intussusception, for example, requiring immediate surgical intervention, the surgeon is in a prime position to make the initial diagnosis of such conditions. A clear grasp of the various entities that can arise in childhood with their associations and concomitant risks of long-term malignancy is therefore essential for excellence in surgical practice.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland

    Maureen J. O’Sullivan & Alan Mortell

  2. University of Dublin, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland

    Maureen J. O’Sullivan & Alan Mortell

Authors
  1. Maureen J. O’Sullivan
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  2. Alan Mortell
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Correspondence to Maureen J. O’Sullivan .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Our Lady’s Children's Hospital, National Children’s Research Centre, Dublin, Ireland

    Prem Puri

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O’Sullivan, M.J., Mortell, A. (2020). Tumors of the Gastrointestinal Tract. In: Puri, P. (eds) Pediatric Surgery. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-38482-0_151-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-38482-0_151-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-38482-0

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