Small Intestine Cancer – Types, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

What is small intestine cancer?

Small intestine cancer is one of the types of cancer where the cells of the small intestine change their shape and differ from the normal cells. The small intestine bridges your stomach and large intestine. Inconsistency in cell formation near the small intestine is the root cause of small intestine cancer.

Types of small intestine cancer

Small intestine cancer comprises three sections namely duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. The small intestine has a mucosa with simple columnar epithelium.

Adenocarcinomas

Adenocarcinoma is a cancerous tumour that grows in the line glands of the internal organs. Breast, stomach, prostate, lung, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers are all common types of adenocarcinoma.

Sarcoma

Sarcoma is one of the cancer types that start in the soft tissues of the body such as cartilage, muscle, blood vessels fat, fibrous tissue, or other connective tissue. The malignancy of sarcoma depends on the type of sarcoma.

Carcinoid tumours

Carcinoid tumours are slow-growing tumour that can develop in various locations throughout the body. Carcinoid tumours are a type of neuroendocrine tumour that starts in the digestive tract such as the stomach, appendix, small intestine, colon or lungs.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) are rare tumours that begin in specific cells in the GI tract’s wall. It is also called digestive tract disease.

Intestinal lymphomas

Intestinal T-cell lymphoma is an uncommon kind of high-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma that develops in the small intestine. T-cell lymphoma cancer arises from T cells that are white blood cells.

Symptoms

Abdominal pain

A person may experience abdominal pain along with a chronic change in bowel habits, such as diarrhoea or constipation, or a change in stool consistency. Blood in the faeces or rectal bleeding is also an indication of small intestine cancer.

Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes (jaundice)

In this case, Jaundice can be caused by a tumour in the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine. This happens if a tumour stops the bile duct, preventing the liver’s contents from reaching the gut.

Feeling unusually weak or tired

If a person is diagnosed with small intestine cancer, they can experience tiredness and fatigue very often. This is a distinct symptom that a person might be affected by small intestine cancer.

Nausea and vomiting

The movement of digested food through the intestine can be slowed as the tumour grows larger. This can result in further pain if the tumour grows large enough to prevent anything from passing through. This also causes extreme nausea and vomiting, as well as discomfort. Colon cancer can spread and cause intestinal blockage. This, in turn, can result in nausea and vomiting. Chronic constipation can also cause these symptoms in people with colon cancer.

Losing weight without trying

If you automatically lose weight more than ever before then it may be due to the signs of small intestine cancer.

Blood stool red or black in colour

Blood in the stool is a common symptom, but cancer can also impede the digestive tract, causing cramps and vomiting. Small intestine tumours are extremely rare, yet they can be fatal if left untreated.

Watery diarrhea

Bowel movements (or stools) are loose and watery when a person has diarrhoea. It’s a typical occurrence that normally doesn’t result in major consequences.

People may experience diarrhoea every year. On average, diarrhea lasts about 2 to 3 days.

Skin flushing

Increased blood flow leads to skin flushing, often known as blushing. Blood vessels enlarge to compensate for increased blood flow to an area of skin like your cheeks. The “flushed” appearance is due to the expansion caused in the skin. Some of the common things that cause flushed skin are humiliation, anger, anxiety, worry or another intense emotional state.

Causes

According to doctors, most small intestinal cancers are caused by unknown factors. Small intestinal cancer develops when the DNA of healthy cells in the intestines is altered. The DNA of a cell is a collection of instructions that directs the cell.

Healthy cells naturally divide and expand in a regular pattern to keep your body running smoothly. Cells continue to divide and become malignant when their DNA is damaged.

Diet and health history

A health history is something that enhances your chances of contracting a disease. Having a health history does not guarantee that you will not develop cancer. People should maintain a proper diet and should consult with their doctors who believe they may be at risk.

Eating a high-fat diet

A high-fat diet is a diet in which fats, both unsaturated and saturated, account for at least 35 percent of total calories. Many foods like processed foods have a high-fat content. Some of the high-fat foods include animal fat, chocolate, butter and oily seafood.

Having Crohn’s disease

Crohn’s disease can sometimes cause life-threatening complications. Weight loss, anaemia, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and exhaustion are all symptoms of Crohn’s disease. Some people may not experience any symptoms, while others may experience severe chronic symptoms if they are affected by Crohn’s disease. Crohn’s illness is incurable.

Having celiac disease

Celiac disease is an immunological and long-term digestive condition that affects the small intestine. Consuming gluten-containing foods develops the chances of celiac disease. This condition prevents your body from receiving all of the nutrients it requires.

Having familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is a genetic condition that causes cancers of the large intestine (colon) and rectum. In the teenage years, people with the classic variety of familial adenomatous polyposis may develop several noncancerous growths in the colon.

Diagnosing small intestine cancer

You can easily diagnose small intestine cancer in the following ways:

Blood tests

If your doctor suspects the presence of small intestinal cancer then he may ask you to take blood tests including a complete blood count (CBC) test that analyses the numbers of platelets, white blood cells and red blood cells.

X-ray imaging

An x-ray creates a picture of the structures inside of the body using a small amount of radiation. This helps the doctor to find a tumour. For small intestine cancer, x-rays may be taken of the entire gastrointestinal system, including the small bowel, large intestine, oesophagus, stomach and rectum.

MRI scan

MRI scan is used to determine tumour penetration through the intestinal wall, extramural vascular invasion, and serosal involvement due to its high sensitivity. MRI scan is the best way to stage colon cancer.

CT scan

CT colonography, often known as virtual colonoscopy, employs specialised x-ray equipment to look for cancer and polyps in the large intestine. During the examination, the doctor inserts a short tube into the rectum.

Biopsy

A biopsy is performed when a doctor uses a specific instrument passed via the scope to remove a small piece of tissue. A suspected colorectal cancer is usually biopsied during a colonoscopy if it is discovered by any screening or diagnostic test.

Endoscopy

An endoscopy is a procedure that allows a doctor to see within the gastrointestinal system. The patient may be anaesthetised as the doctor inserts an endoscope, a thin, illuminated, flexible tube, down the oesophagus, and into the stomach and small bowel. An endoscopy allows the doctor to see parts of the small intestine.

colonoscopy

A colonoscopy is very similar to a traditional endoscopy, except that the endoscope is introduced through the anus and rectum into the colon and lower part of the small bowel.

Barium swallow

An esophagogram, commonly known as a barium swallow, is an imaging examination that examines issues in your upper GI tract. The oesophagus, stomach, mouth, back of the throat and first section of the small intestine make up your upper GI tract.

Liver function tests

Liver function tests are blood tests that measure the number of enzymes, proteins and other chemicals produced by the liver. These tests help to examine the overall health performance of the liver.

Laparotomy

A surgical operation involves making an incision (cut) in the abdominal wall to examine the inside of the abdomen for signs of disease. The length of the incision is determined by the cause of the laparotomy.

Small intestine cancer treatment

Surgery

Surgery is done especially when the tumors in the ileum (the last segment of the small intestine) become severely damaged. This surgery is called a hemicolectomy where a long cut is performed on the abdomen.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy is recommended only after the surgery. It removes the nearby cancer cells in the duodenum and malignant lymph nodes. Radiation therapy aids in the destruction of cancer cells and it is frequently given to people who cannot undergo surgery because their cancer is too advanced.

Chemotherapy

Some of the commonly prescribed chemotherapy medicines for small intestinal cancer are irinotecan, fluorouracil, capecitabine, and oxaliplatin.

Biologic therapy

Biological medication and therapy recommended for small intestine cancer include medicines such as bevacizumab, cetuximab, and panitumumab. Bevacizumab is the only medication that can be administered in combination with cytotoxic chemotherapy for patients with mutant RAS and probable mutant BRAF V600E tumours.

Radiation therapy with radiosensitizers

Radiation therapy is a therapeutic technique that uses high-energy photon radiation such as gamma rays, X-rays and others to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy can either kill cancer cells or tumour tissue through direct and indirect processes.

Clinical trial

Clinical trials treat small bowel cancer of all stages and forms. Many people are interested in novel treatments to see if they are safe, effective and may be superior to present treatments.

Prevention

Eat healthy stuff 

A diet high in fruits and vegetables can lower blood pressure and mitigate the risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, eye, and digestive issues.

Drink alcohol in moderation

It is safe to relinquish the habit of drinking alcohol to protect yourself from cancer and other diseases. But if you want to consume alcohol do drink it moderately to avoid alcohol complications in the future.

Stop smoking

Excessive smoking becomes fatal if not maintained under control. A strict prohibition of smoking is the only way to safeguard yourself from intestinal cancers.

Exercise

To reduce the risk of cancer, you should engage in regular exercise for up to 1 hour or 30 minutes. You can try following like brisk walking, medium-paced swimming and cycling.

Maintain a healthy weight

Have a regular check on your weight month on month to examine any drastic changes in your weight. If you spot unforeseen weight loss, report to your doctor.

Risks & Complications

Gene mutations passed through families

Mutations in genes can either be inherited or acquired. The egg or sperm cell that created the child has an inherited gene mutation.

Other bowel diseases

The risk of small intestine cancer is increased if you have ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease that affects your colon and intestines. You might also face new bowel signs due to the presence of cancer cells present in the intestines.

Weakened immune system

A weakened immune system is often referred to as immune compromisation. When your immune system is weak, your body struggles to combat viruses, germs, and fungi. This can cause dangerous illnesses and put your health at risk.

An increased risk of other cancers

Crohn’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease and celiac disease are all other disorders that impact the intestines and may raise the risk of small intestine cancer. You may have a higher chance of small intestine cancer if your body’s germ-fighting immune system is impaired.

Cancer that spreads to other parts of the body

Metastatic cancer is cancer that spreads from its real location to another new location in the body. It is also known as stage IV cancer for several types of cancer.

Summing up

Small intestine cancer is an uncommon condition in which cells in the tissues of your gut form cancerous cells. Small intestine cancer can be fatal if left untreated, and it can spread to other parts of the body.

Early detection facilitates the option to choose the best treatment option for your body. Schedule an appointment with your doctor if you begin to have unusual symptoms or if you have a history of intestinal cancer.

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