Health A-Z

Small intestine cancer is a rare type of cancer that occurs in the tissues of the small intestine, which is part of the digestive system. It's often diagnosed at a more advanced stage compared to other gastrointestinal cancers because symptoms may not appear until the cancer has progressed. Here's an overview of symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

1. Abdominal Pain: Persistent, crampy abdominal pain or discomfort, often localized to the mid or upper abdomen.
2. Unexplained Weight Loss: Significant weight loss without changes in diet or exercise.
3. Nausea and Vomiting: Especially if persistent and unrelated to other causes.
4. Change in Bowel Habits: Such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool.
5. Bleeding: Blood in the stool (which may appear dark or tarry) or vomiting blood.
6. Fatigue: Feeling unusually tired or weak, even with adequate rest.
7. Bloating or Fullness: Abdominal bloating or a sense of fullness after eating small amounts of food.

1. Surgery: Surgical resection of the tumor is the primary treatment for small intestine cancer, whenever feasible. The extent of surgery depends on the location, size, and stage of the cancer.
2. Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy may be recommended before or after surgery to shrink the tumor, kill any remaining cancer cells, or treat cancer that has spread beyond the small intestine.
3. Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy may be used in combination with surgery or chemotherapy to target and destroy cancer cells.
4. Targeted Therapy: Targeted therapy drugs may be used to specifically target cancer cells that have certain genetic mutations or characteristics.
5. Clinical Trials: Participation in clinical trials may be considered to explore new treatment options or experimental therapies for small intestine cancer.

1. Medical History and Physical Examination: Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, medical history, and perform a physical examination, including palpation of the abdomen to assess for masses or tenderness.
2. Imaging Tests: Imaging studies such as CT scans, MRIs, or PET scans may be ordered to visualize the small intestine and identify any abnormalities, such as tumors or metastases.
3. Endoscopic Procedures: Endoscopy, including upper endoscopy (esophagogastroduodenoscopy or EGD) and enteroscopy, may be performed to directly visualize the inside of the small intestine and obtain tissue samples for biopsy.
4. Biopsy: A tissue sample (biopsy) is taken from the suspicious area in the small intestine and examined under a microscope to confirm the presence of cancer and determine its type and grade.