Cancer of the Small Intestine

Cancer of the Small Intestine Introduction

The small intestine, or small bowel, lies between the stomach and the colon. The small intestine is about 6 m (20 ft) long. Its primary function is to digest and absorb nutrients. The small intestine makes up more than 70% of the length and 90% of the surface area of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
The most common cancerous (malignant) tumors of the small bowel include adenocarcinoma, lymphoma, sarcoma, and carcinoids.

• In industrialized countries, adenocarcinomas occur most often.



• In developing countries, lymphomas are much more common.



• All these tumors have the potential to invade the bowel wall, spread into adjoining lymph nodes, and move to distant organs (metastasize).

Cancer of the Small Intestine Treatment

• Surgical removal is the primary treatment for cancer of the small intestine.



• Chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be useful if the cancer is widespread.



• Radiation therapy may also be helpful if the disease is widespread or if local tumors come back.



• Surgery may also relieve symptoms when the cancer has caused a bowel obstruction. In this case, doctors may perform a bypass procedure or limited tumor removal.