What is cancer of the small intestine?

Cancer of the small intestine, a rare cancer, is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the tissues of the small intestine. The small intestine is a long tube that folds many times to fit inside the abdomen. It connects the stomach to the large intestine (bowel). In the small intestine, food is broken down to remove vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.

A doctor should be seen if there are any of the following:

—      Pain or cramps in the middle of the abdomen.

—      Weight loss without dieting.

—      A lump in the abdomen.

—      Blood in the stool.

If there are symptoms, a doctor will usually order an upper gastrointestinal x-ray (also called an upper GI series). For this examination, a patient drinks a liquid containing barium, which makes the stomach and intestine easier to see in the x-ray. This test is usually performed in a doctor’s office or in a hospital radiology department.

The doctor may also do a CT scan, a special x-ray that uses a computer to make a picture of the inside of the abdomen. An ultrasound, which uses sound waves to find tumors, or an MRI scan, which uses magnetic waves to make a picture of the abdomen, may also be done.

The doctor may put a thin lighted tube called an endoscope down the throat, through the stomach, and into the first part of the small intestine. The doctor may cut out a small piece of tissue during the endoscopy. This is called a biopsy. The tissue is then looked at under a microscope to see if it contains cancer cells.

The chance of recovery (prognosis) depends on the type of cancer, whether it is just in the small intestine or has spread to other tissues, and the patient’s overall health.

Stage Explanation

Stages of cancer of the small intestine

Once small intestine cancer is found, more tests will be done to find out if cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body. Although there is a staging system for cancer of the small intestine, for treatment purposes this cancer is grouped based on what kind of cells are found. The types of cancer found in the small intestine include adenocarcinoma, sarcoma, and carcinoid tumors. (Refer to the PDQ summary on Gastrointestinal Carcinoid Tumor Treatment for more information on carcinoid tumors. Refer to the PDQ summaries on Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma Treatment and Childhood Soft Tissue Sarcoma Treatment for more information on sarcomas.) (For information on small intestine lymphoma, refer to the PDQ summaries on Adult Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and Childhood Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Treatment.)

Adenocarcinoma

Adenocarcinoma starts in the lining of the small intestine and is the most common type of cancer of the small intestine. These tumors occur most often in the part of the small intestine nearest the stomach. These cancers often grow and block the bowel.

Leiomyosarcoma

Leiomyosarcomas are cancers that start growing in the smooth muscle lining of the small intestine.

Recurrent

Recurrent disease means that the cancer has come back (recurred) after it has been treated. It may come back in the small intestine or in another part of the body.

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