Hello,my nan recently died of cancer, it was very sudden and from being told it was turminal to the day she passed away was only 5 days. However on her death certificate it states the cause was a) Duodenal cancerb) with retro-peritoneal spread I was wondering if you could explain what these both were/mean? Many thanks Sam
Hi, Thanks for writing in. Sorry to hear about the death of your Nan from cancer. Duodenum is part of the small intestine just after the stomach. She had cancer of the duodenum. The duodenum is attached to the abdominal structures with the help of fat and behind it there is the retroperitoneum which is a space in the abdominal cavity where kidneys are located. In her case, there was cancer of the duodenum which is the beginning of small intestine and this is adherent to the structures behind it which is called the retroperitoneum. May her soul rest in peace. Such cancer is difficult to treat.