PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

Which type of benign small bowel tumor is asymptomatic and primarily found in the jejunum?

1. Lipomas

2. GISTs

3. Hamartomas

4. Hemangiomas

The correct answer is: GISTs

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are a type of benign tumor that can often be asymptomatic and are frequently found in the jejunum. These tumors originate from interstitial cells of Cajal or precursor cells in the gastrointestinal tract and are most commonly observed in the stomach and small intestine, particularly the jejunum. In many cases, GISTs may not cause any symptoms, especially when they are small, which makes them more challenging to detect until they are incidentally found during imaging studies or surgeries for other issues. When they do present symptoms, it can sometimes be due to complications such as bleeding or obstruction. In contrast, lipomas, hamartomas, and hemangiomas can have different characteristics or commonly present symptoms that make them less likely to be asymptomatic and specifically found in the jejunum. Lipomas are fatty tumors that can also appear in the gastrointestinal tract but are more common in the colon. Hamartomas are benign growths made up of different types of tissue, and while they can occur in the intestine, they are more associated with specific syndromes. Hemangiomas are vascular tumors and while they can occur in various locations, they are less commonly found in the small intestine specifically as a benign tumor when