Small Intestine Cancers

Each type of cancer has its own research, treatments and resources devoted to them. This page gives an overview of Small Intestine Cancers and for your convenience we have included the most recent news stories concerning Small Intestine Cancers. Be sure to check out our listings page for links to more information.

Small intestine cancer is a rare disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the small intestine.

The small intestine is part of the body’s digestive system, which also includes the esophagus, stomach, and large intestine. The digestive system removes and processes nutrients (vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and water) from foods and helps pass waste material out of the body. The small intestine is a long tube that connects the stomach to the large intestine. It folds many times to fit inside the abdomen.

There are five types of small intestine cancer.

The types of cancer found in the small intestine are adenocarcinoma, sarcoma, carcinoid tumors, gastrointestinal stromal tumor, and lymphoma. This summary discusses adenocarcinoma and leiomyosarcoma (a type of sarcoma).

Adenocarcinoma starts in glandular cells in the lining of the small intestine and is the most common type of small intestine cancer. Most of these tumors occur in the part of the small intestine near the stomach. They may grow and block the intestine.

Leiomyosarcoma starts in the smooth muscle cells of the small intestine. Most of these tumors occur in the part of the small intestine near the large intestine.

Refer to the following PDQ summaries for more information on small intestine cancer:

Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma Treatment
Childhood Soft Tissue Sarcoma Treatment
Adult Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Treatment
Childhood Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Treatment
Gastrointestinal Carcinoid Tumor Treatment
Diet and health history can affect the risk of developing small intestine cancer.

Risk factors include the following:

Eating a high-fat diet.
Having Crohn's disease.
Having celiac disease.
Having familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).
Possible signs of small intestine cancer include abdominal pain and unexplained weight loss.

These and other symptoms may be caused by small intestine cancer or by other conditions. A doctor should be consulted if any of the following problems occur:

Pain or cramps in the middle of the abdomen.
Weight loss with no known reason.
A lump in the abdomen.
Blood in the stool.
Tests that examine the small intestine are used to detect (find), diagnose, and stage small intestine cancer.

Procedures that create pictures of the small intestine and the area around it help diagnose small intestine cancer and show how far the cancer has spread. The process used to find out if cancer cells have spread within and around the small intestine is called staging.

In order to plan treatment, it is important to know the type of small intestine cancer and whether the tumor can be removed by surgery. Tests and procedures to detect, diagnose, and stage small intestine cancer are usually done at the same time. The following tests and procedures may be used:

Physical exam and history. An exam of the body to check general signs of health, including checking for signs of disease, such as lumps or anything else that seems unusual. A history of the patient’s health habits and past illnesses and treatments will also be taken.


Blood chemistry studies: A procedure in which a blood sample is checked to measure the amounts of certain substances released into the blood by organs and tissues in the body. An unusual (higher or lower than normal) amount of a substance can be a sign of disease in the organ or tissue that produces it.


Liver function tests: A procedure in which a blood sample is checked to measure the amounts of certain substances released into the blood by the liver. A higher than normal amount of a substance can be a sign of liver disease that may be caused by small intestine cancer.


Abdominal x-ray: An x-ray of the organs in the abdomen. An x-ray is a type of energy beam that can go through the body onto film, making a picture of areas inside the body.


Barium enema: A series of x-rays of the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract. A liquid that contains barium (a silver-white metallic compound) is put into the rectum. The barium coats the lower gastrointestinal tract and x-rays are taken. This procedure is also called a lower GI series.
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Barium enema procedure. The patient lies on an x-ray table. Barium liquid is put into the rectum and flows through the colon. X-rays are taken to look for abnormal areas.


Fecal occult blood test: A test to check stool (solid waste) for blood that can only be seen with a microscope. Small samples of stool are placed on special cards and returned to the doctor or laboratory for testing.


Upper endoscopy: A procedure to look at the inside of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (first part of the small intestine, near the stomach). An endoscope (a thin, lighted tube) is inserted through the mouth and into the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. Tissue samples may be taken for biopsy.


Upper GI series with small bowel follow-through: A series of x-rays of the esophagus, stomach, and small bowel. The patient drinks a liquid that contains barium (a silver-white metallic compound). The liquid coats the esophagus, stomach, and small bowel. X-rays are taken at different times as the barium travels through the upper GI tract and small bowel.


Biopsy: The removal of cells or tissues so they can be viewed under a microscope to check for signs of cancer. This may be done during the endoscopy. The sample is checked by a pathologist to see if it contains cancer cells.


CT scan (CAT scan): A procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, taken from different angles. The pictures are made by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. A dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly. This procedure is also called computed tomography, computerized tomography, or computerized axial tomography.


Lymph node biopsy: The removal of all or part of a lymph node. A pathologist views the tissue under a microscope to look for cancer cells.


Laparotomy: A surgical procedure in which an incision (cut) is made in the wall of the abdomen to check the inside of the abdomen for signs of disease. The size of the incision depends on the reason the laparotomy is being done. Sometimes organs are removed or tissue samples are taken for biopsy.


Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.

The prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options depend on the following:

The type of small intestine cancer.
Whether the cancer has spread to other places in the body.
Whether the cancer can be completely removed by surgery.
Whether the cancer is newly diagnosed or has recurred.

 

Small Intestine Cancers in the News...

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 Fair to raise awareness on colorectal cancer (Straits Times)
Mr Tan Chew Lee, 60, was diagnosed with cancer of the small intestine two years ago, around the same time when his brother, well-known 'getai' singer Chen Jin Lang died of colon cancer.

 Sometimes, it's more than bad luck (Channel NewsAsia)
It came as no surprise to Mr Tan Chew Lee, 60, when he was diagnosed with cancer two years ago. After all, both his parents died from it.

 Highly Acidic Beverages Not A Threat To Gastrointestinal Tracts (Medical News...
A comprehensive new research review confirms that the upper gastrointestinal tract (GI) is naturally equipped to handle fruit juices, soft drinks, alcohol and other beverages with high acidity.

 MAA Takaful unveils all-cancer coverage (The Star)
KUALA LUMPUR: MAA Takaful Bhd, the latest entrant into the takaful market, has launched what is believed to be the industry's first standalone comprehensive cancer plan that covers all forms of cancer.

 Frequent gastrointestinal upset may be Celiac Disease (Gaffney Ledger)
ROCHESTER, Minn. - Frequent gastrointestinal upset can indicate celiac disease, which affects about one in 100 people. But only about one-tenth of those cases have been diagnosed, because celiac disease can present in many ways.

 Musical benefit to aid Pequannock resident (Daily Record)
RIVERDALE -- For the past six months, Kristen Koening has helped bring karaoke and Guitar Hero music video games to Dexter's Entertainment Complex through her production company, thrilling the Wednesday night crowds.

 Avoid gluten if you have celiac disease (Honolulu Advertiser)
Q. If I feel bloated and sick after eating bread and pasta, does this mean I have celiac disease?

 Comprehensive Clinic For Gastrointestinal Cancers Opens At Rush University Me...
Patients benefit from a team approach at the new Coleman Foundation Comprehensive Clinic for Gastrointestinal Cancers at Rush University Medical Center. Experts in gastroenterology, medical oncology, surgery, radiation oncology, pathology and psychosocial oncology as well as nutrition and genetics come together to meet with new patients and develop a defined treatment plan.

 Teenager who swallowed revolutionary pill camera finally diagnosed after five...
A teenager has overcome serious illness with the help of a miniature camera 'pill' that travels through the body detecting disease.

 Catch colorectal cancer before it starts (Erie Times-News)
Colorectal cancer --the cancer nobody talked about, even with their doctors, just 10 years ago -- has fast become one of the most recognized forms of cancer.