Small Intestine Cancer Symptoms

The small intestine is a very important part of our digestive system. It is that part of the digestive tract which connects the stomach to the large intestine. It consists of the duodenum, jejunum and the ileum. Though it is referred to as small intestine, it measures around six meters in length and is much longer than the five feet long large intestine. The diameter of the large intestine is around 6.3 centimeters whereas the small intestine is approximately 2.5 to 3 centimeters in diameter.

The small intestine performs a vital role in the digestion of food and assimilation of nutrients. Are you aware of the diseases that can affect the function of small intestine? Intestinal blockage, short bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel diseases and intestinal infections are some of the common problems that affect the small intestine. Small intestine cancer is one of the most serious diseases of the small intestine. Adenocarcinoma, sarcoma, carcinoid tumors, gastrointestinal stromal tumor, and lymphoma are some of the types of small intestine cancer. In this article, we would be looking into small intestine cancer symptoms and treatment options.

Small Intestine Cancer

Causes

Out of the different types of small intestine cancer, people are affected the most by adenocarcinoma. Those suffering from medical conditions such as Crohn's disease, celiac disease, familial adenomatous polyposis, hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal carcinoma and Peutz-Jeghers syndrome are more likely to suffer from growth of malignant cancerous cells in the small bowel. Crohn's disease is basically associated with inflammation of ileum, the lower part of the small intestine.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder which is caused due to gluten intolerance. When a person consumes foods made from wheat, it might lead to severe reactions that might cause damage to the small intestine. Unhealthy eating habits put one at an increased risk of developing cancer of the small bowel. Small intestine problems can also occur due to the consumption of a high fat diet. Exposure to carcinogens could also lead to intestinal cancer. Other diseases that cause cancer of the small intestine are carcinoid tumors in the ileum, malignant lymphoma and sarcoma malignancies in the smooth muscle lining of the ileum.

Symptoms

The symptoms and signs of small intestine cancer are not very specific. Since these are similar to symptoms of other digestive disorders, many a time, this disease is not detected at an early stage. Abdominal pain, bloating, nausea are some of the most common symptoms of this serious disease. Bleeding in the intestine which is generally caused due to adenocarcinoma shows up in the form of bloody stools and small intestine blockage. Abdominal pain, stomach cramps, distended abdomen and vomiting might be experienced. Chronic fatigue and formation of an abdominal lump could also be experienced by those suffering from intestinal cancer. Involuntary weight loss is one of the most common symptoms of small bowel cancer. If you have been experiencing involuntary weight loss and abdominal pain, then you must get yourself medically examined soon.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Imaging procedures such as abdominal X-rays, CT scan and upper gastrointestinal series along with blood chemistry and liver function tests and fecal occult blood test are performed for the diagnosis of small intestine cancer. Besides these diagnostic tests, a procedure called upper gastrointestinal endoscopy might be performed. This involves the insertion of an endoscope, a thin slender tube that has a video chip at the end. It is passed through the mouth and esophagus into the stomach and small intestine in order to perform a visual examination of the area. A biopsy might also be performed by cutting a small piece of the tumor and examining it under the microscope to check for the presence of malignant cancerous cells. Once the doctors are sure about the existence of cancerous cells, small intestine cancer can be treated with the help of chemotherapy or radiation therapy. In radiation therapy, high energy X-rays are used for destroying the cancerous cells. Certain drugs can also be used for curbing the growth of these cells. Surgery might also be performed to control the symptoms of advanced stage of small bowel cancer.

This was some information on the cancer of the small intestine. Since Crohn's disease, Celiac disease and familial polyposis put one at a greater risk of developing small bowel cancer, those who have been diagnosed with any of these diseases must exercise caution. Medical help must be sought on experiencing any of the aforementioned symptoms.