Duodenal adenocarcinoma complicating celiac sprue.

We report the occurrence of a duodenal adenocarcinoma in a 49-year-old woman with previously unrecognized celiac sprue. Tumor resection symptomatically unmasked the small intestinal disorder. Gluten restriction effectively controlled her symptoms and the patient has remained well for over a year and a half. This case illustrates the unmasking of subclinical celiac sprue following upper gastrointestinal tract surgery. It may also reflect the association between celiac sprue and malignancy. Duodenal adenocarcinoma is an unusual occurrence in celiac sprue.